Maths students from Holyhead school are to challenge passers-by in Victoria Square to solve the equation 2x + 2 = x + 4 and explain how they did it.

The 1.5 metre-tall equation is launched today by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) to promote the first ever Train to teach – Birmingham event.

Held at Thinktank on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 March, Train to teach – Birmingham is the city’s largest free teaching careers fair. It is designed to allow anyone with an interest in the profession – students, recent graduates or people looking to change career – to come along and find out everything they need to know about becoming a teacher.

Thirty training providers – universities, colleges and schools – from across the region will be present. Dedicated career consultants and teachers will also be on hand to answer questions and give personal advice. 

Throughout both days there will be a series of seminars on subjects such as the various training routes available and how to make a good course application. Further details are available at www.teach.gov.uk/tttevents

Maths graduates are in particular demand. There are more than 2,500 places on maths initial teaching training (ITT) courses for 2007/08.  There are also financial incentives available for trainee maths teachers. Eligible trainees on PGCE courses are entitled to a tax-free bursary worth £9,000 and may also be eligible for a ‘golden hello’ payment worth £5,000 (taxed) after their first year in teaching.

Graham Holley, chief executive of the TDA, said:

“This year nearly 40,000 people decided that teaching’s combination of pay, progression opportunities and the unique rewards of working with young people added up to an excellent choice of career.

"We are bringing this equation to Birmingham to highlight that teaching is an exciting career that enables you to use your degree knowledge and skills, as well as your creativity to bring lessons to life.

"Whether you’re looking for your first graduate job or contemplating a change, come along to the Train to teach – Birmingham event to find out more about a career in a teaching.”

Notes to editors

This news release applies to England only.

For more information about how to become a teacher, visit 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).

From 1 September 2007 a newly qualified teacher (NQT) will start on a salary of at least £20,133 (£24,168 in inner London). The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £34,281 outside London and £41,004 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.teach.gov.uk/payandbenefits.

Eligible trainees on postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6-9,000. Newly qualified teachers with a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) in maths 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.teach.gov.uk/funding.
 
The graduate teacher programme (GTP) enables people to train to become a teacher while employed in a school. Details of employment based routes can be viewed at www.teach.gov.uk/routes.

Data collected by the TDA shows that close to 40,000 people are beginning teacher training in the academic year 2006/07.

The TDA was established under the Education Act 2005 and was formerly known as the Teacher Training Agency. Its principal aim is to secure an effective school workforce that improves children’s life chances.

Media enquiries

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