The number of places for initial teacher training (ITT) providers for 2006/07 is 32,800 and 31,300 for 2007/08. There are 2,350 places allocated for mathematics and 3,225 for science, the same as for last year, while the overall requirement for newly qualified teachers continues to decrease. In addition there will be around 7,000 places for employment based routes including the Graduate Teacher Programme, with almost 1,000 places of these available for the training of mathematics and science teachers.

The number of places is determined by the Department for Education and Skills and takes account of the decline in school pupil rolls, teachers returning to the profession, the number of current vacancies and retirements.

Graham Holley, the TDA’s executive director of initial teacher training, said:

“More people are choosing to work with the most exciting people in the country and around 41,000 will start teacher training during the current academic year.

“More emphasis will be placed on filling regional needs. Although pupil numbers are dropping fast, we acknowledge the continuing demand for mathematics and science teachers.

“Of these allocations 90 per cent of the places go to the best training providers. We also expect there to be greater competition for places and I am confident that we will see the high quality new teachers that schools need to continue to improve standards and help every pupil to fulfil their potential.”

Notes to editors

This news release applies to England only.

Full details of the provisional allocations to individual training providers are available at www.tda.gov.uk/allocations

For more information about how to become a teacher, see www.teach.gov.uk. Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 – 992 for Welsh speakers (minicom 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 www.gttr.ac.uk. Applications for undergraduate teacher training courses can be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, www.ucas.ac.uk.

A newly qualified teacher (NQT) can expect to start on a salary of at least £19,161 (£23,001 in inner London). The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £32,628 outside London and £38,916 in inner 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 head teachers can rise to over £90,000 depending on size of school.

Further details are available at www.tda.gov.uk/recruit/lifeasateacher/payandbenefits

Eligible trainees on postgraduate initial teacher training courses in England are entitled to a tax free training bursary worth £6-9,000. Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) with a PGCE in mathematics and science may also be eligible for a ‘golden hello’ payment worth £5,000 (taxed) after successfully completing their induction period. Those with a PGCE in modern languages, English or drama, design and technology, information and communications technology, music and religious education may receive £2,500. Details are available on the TDA website at www.tda.gov.uk/recruit/thetrainingprocess/coursefunding

The Graduate Teacher Programme enables people to train to become a teacher while employed in a school. Details of employment based routes can be viewed at www.tda.gov.uk/recruit/thetrainingprocess

The Training and Development Agency for Schools was established under the Education Act 2005. Its purpose is to raise children’s standards of achievement and promote their well-being by improving the training and development of the whole school workforce.

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