London 'hot spot' for newly qualified teachers

Figures issued today by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) show that the number of people gaining qualified teacher status (QTS) at London institutions has increased dramatically since 2001.  In the academic year 2001/02, 3,648 people qualified as teachers in London, rising to 6,350 in 2005/06.

The TDA figures reveal that nearly 26,000 people have trained to teach in London over the five year period.  With nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of these people qualifying to teach maths, science, ICT, design and technology, religious education and modern languages, the city’s trainees are making an important contribution to filling teaching vacancies in these sought-after subjects.

Career changers are also helping to boost the ranks of the teaching profession.  More than a third (34 per cent) of teachers who qualified in London during the past five years was over the age of thirty, and had worked in another career before switching to teach.

A recent survey of newly qualified teachers for the TDA shows that, nationally, the quality of teacher training is at a record high, with 88 per cent rating their training as good or very good. 

Mike Watkins, Assistant Director of Recruitment to Initial Teacher Training at the TDA, said:

“The start of the school year is an exciting time for students and teachers alike – and London’s schools will be welcoming many new faces into their teaching workforce.  With more than 3,000 schools in the city, there are superb opportunities for new teachers.

“Teaching is proving an increasingly attractive career option for both graduates and career changers as it offers the enjoyment of working with young people, as well as the opportunity to use degree knowledge and be creative in bringing lessons to life.   Pay and progression prospects are also excellent. A newly qualified teacher in London can expect to earn more than £24,000 in their first year – and this can increase rapidly.

“We would encourage students and graduates considering a career in teaching to come along to an event being held at Cardinal Place, Victoria Street on 10-12 September.  Visitors will be able to get a taste of life in the modern classroom through an interactive ‘class of today’ stand and experienced teaching consultants will be on hand to offer advice about routes into teaching.  Alternatively, contact the teaching information line on 0117 915 8161, or visit www.teach.gov.uk

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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 Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) was established under the Education Act 2005. Its principal aim is to secure an effective school workforce that improves children’s life chances.

Media enquiries

Sally Wiber, Michael Sheen or Mel Garfield at Band & Brown Communications
Tel: 020 7419 6934/ 8616/ 7312
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