Local school children gave up a day of their holiday today to bring algebra into Norwichcity centre, in a novel recruitment drive for trainee maths teachers.

Students from a local school brought a giant eight foot high equation to The forum and gentleman’s walk in the city centre, giving workers and shoppers a chance to see whether their maths skills were still up to scratch. Information on teacher training courses was also handed out at each site.

The equation, 2x + 2 = x + 4, was put together by year seven students to encourage more people to train as maths teachers, as part of the teacher training agency’s (TTA) national recruitment campaign. Applications are still being accepted for teaching courses starting this September, and local training provider, the University of East Anglia, is offering approximately 50 places on postgraduate maths courses.

The TTA’s latest recruitment drive ‘Use your head. Teach.’ emphasises the day to day enjoyment teaching can offer, plus the career prospects and financial rewards. On a pay scale that compares favourably with other graduate professions, newly qualified teachers will start on at least £18,500 outside Londonand £22,000 in London.

In addition to the £6,000 tax -free training bursary available on post -graduate courses, those who go on to teach maths could also receive a ‘golden hello’ of £4,000 after their first year of teaching.

Sue Cramp, Secondary PGCE Course Director for Mathematics, University of East Angliasaid:

“If you are interested in training to teach maths and have either a maths degree, or a degree with a strong element of maths, contact us now to find out more. There are still places available on our maths teacher training courses starting this September if people apply now. “

To find out where there are vacancies on courses starting this September visit the Graduate Teacher Training Registry’s (GTTR) website.

Notes for editors

For information on teacher training courses at the University of East Angliastarting this September call: 01603 592 852.

For more information about how to become a teacher, see www.useyourheadteach.gov.uk. Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 (992 Welsh speakers); Mincom 01245 45 43 43.

Applications for most postgraduate Initial Teacher Training courses are processed through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry and can be submitted online at the GTTR website. Applications for undergraduate teacher training courses can be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). For guidance on applying through the clearing process which begins in August visit the above websites.

A newly qualified teacher (NQT) can expect to start on a salary of at least £18,558 outside London or £22,059 in inner London. The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £29,385 outside London. Additional allowances may be paid to teachers considered to be excellent, and to those who take on management and other responsibilities. The pay scale for headteachers can rise to over £90,000 depending on size of school.

Eligible trainees on postgraduate initial teacher training courses in Englandare entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6,000. Tuition fees for “home” or European students are paid by the Government. NQTs with a PGCE in a priority subject (mathematics, science, modern languages, English or drama, design and technology, and Information and Communications Technology) also may be eligible for a taxable 'golden hello' payment worth £4,000 after successfully completing their induction period.

Maths enhancement courses are currently being piloted at Liverpool Hope University and University College Chichester, and from January 2004 will be available nationally. They are aimed at graduates suited to a career in teaching who have either occupational experience or some post A-level academic study of the course subject and would benefit from developing greater depth of understanding before beginning initial teacher training. Courses are six months in duration and participants are entitled to a £150 per week training bursary during the course.

The teacher training agency was established under the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to raise standards by attracting more people into teaching, and by improving the quality of training for teachers and the wider school workforce.

Media enquiries

James French at Band & Brown Communications. Tel: 020 7419 7313, email james.french@bbpr.com

General TTA enquiries: 0870 496 0123