Innovative, employment-based training routes are helping to boost the number of new secondary school teachers in key subjects, according to data collected by the teacher training agency (TTA).

The number of trainees who gained qualified teacher status (QTS) in the academic year 2002-03 totalled 29,094, an increase of 3,605 (14 per cent) over the previous year.

The 15,068 new secondary teachers – 1,782 or 13 per cent up on the previous year - included:

• 1,423 in mathematics (up 27 per cent on the previous year),
  
• 2,353 in science (up 12 per cent),
  
• 1,534 in modern languages (up four per cent), and
  
• 2,038 in English (up 21 per cent).

In all, 1,691 of the new secondary teachers in priority subjects gained QTS through the employment-based routes – principally the graduate teacher programme (GTP) – enabling the TTA and its partners to exceed Government targets for recruitment in mathematics and science. They include 255 in mathematics, 378 in science, 192 in modern languages and 356 in English.

Among final year trainees, 88 per cent of those who trained on mainstream routes, and 91 per cent on employment-based routes achieved QTS. There were 13,274 new primary teachers, a rise of 15 per cent on the previous year.

The figures follow publication of another TTA survey of NQTs in which, six months after starting work, 84 per cent considered the quality of their training was good or better.

Ralph Tabberer, Chief Executive of the TTA, said:

'Through improved marketing and innovative programmes, we have made up the lost ground in recruitment in the tough areas of science and maths. There’s much more to do, because we must constantly strive to get better and better candidates - there will always be a place for good teachers. But these figures show how far we have travelled and are a real credit to the initial teacher training sector.”

Notes for editors

A link to the initial teacher training (ITT) providers’ performance profiles website is at www.useyourheadteach/pprofiles.  The site offers details about each of the universities, schools and colleges in Englandwhich provide training, including the courses they offer, the quality of their training, and the number, gender and backgrounds of trainees to help potential trainees choose the course most appropriate to them. A separate dedicated website is open for training providers to benchmark their own performance against those of similar establishments.

The profiles cover 33,608 trainees at primary, key stage 2/3 and secondary levels for the academic year 2002/03 - 29,654 in mainstream training, and 3,954 on employment based routes. In all, there were 32,595 final year trainees, an increase of 3,810 or 13 per cent on the previous year.

The graduate teacher programme enables people to work in a school and earn a salary while they train. The registered teacher programme (RTP) is for people who need to complete their first degree while they train.

The teacher training agency's purpose is to raise standards by attracting able and committed people into teaching and by improving the quality of teacher training and induction. The Secretary of State announced on 29 March 2004 that he is extending the TTA's remit to include training for school support staff, and continuing professional development for teachers.

Media enquiries

TTA Press Office Tel: 020 7023 8080 / 8081

Out of hours: 077 7193 4629

e-mail: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

Teaching enquiries

People interested in becoming a teacher should visit the TTA recruitment website, www.useyourheadteach.gov.uk, or contact the teaching information line (tel: 0845 6000 991 – 992 for Welsh speakers).

General TTA enquiries:0870 496 0123