Latest figures from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) show that the number of trainee science teachers has reached more than 3,000 for the first time, with significant increases in the number of those choosing physics, chemistry and biology Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses for 2007/2008. 

The number of new physics trainees has increased by 31 per cent in the last year, and chemistry by 32 per cent. This follows similar substantial increases last year. Overall, there were 31,295 new and expected entrants to mainstream ITT, towards the Government target of 31,300. Taking into account 7,200 new and expected entrants to employment-based teacher training programmes the total of new entrants for 2007/2008 is expected to be 38,495. 

TDA Chief Executive Graham Holley said:

“I am delighted to see the TDA’s teacher recruitment campaign continuing its success in attracting first rate new teachers into the profession.  Teaching remains a top career choice, with the number of new trainees remaining on target, providing schools with a very healthy supply of high quality new teachers.

“The record number of new science recruits is particularly welcome news, and is an encouraging endorsement of our focus on science as a priority subject in our recruitment campaign.   

“There is a welcome buoyancy of interest in maths, in what has become an increasingly competitive graduate labour market. The new phase of our campaign in the New Year will put a fresh emphasis on attracting maths teachers. And we have a range of other measures to increase the supply of teachers offering maths, such as enhancement courses for existing teachers to bring their maths skills up to date, and higher bursaries (£9k) and golden hellos (£5k) for maths and science than other subjects.”

The figures show 15,076 people on mainstream primary courses, and 16,219 on mainstream secondary courses. The diversity of trainees has also improved, year on year:  

• 11.8 per cent of all new entrants to mainstream programmes are from a minority ethnic background, compared to 11.6 per cent last year
• 5.8 per cent of all new entrants to mainstream programmes have a declared disability, compared to 4.7 per cent last year
• 15 per cent of new entrants to mainstream primary programmes are male, representing a welcome rise towards addressing the gender balance at primary schools.

Recruitment to science specialisms on mainstream programmes showed a significant increase compared with last year. These included:  

• Biology (968 compared with 914 in 2006/2007 - together with an additional 90 new and expected trainees on employment based programmes) 
• Chemistry (739 compared 558 in 2006/2007  - together with an additional 60 new and expected trainees on employment based programmes)
• Physics (477 compared with 365 in 2006/2007 - together with an additional 40 new and expected trainees on employment based programmes)

Where recruitment to some secondary mainstream programmes did not reach the Department for Children, Schools and Families targets, the shortfalls are uniformly addressed through the expected numbers of new trainees entering the profession through employment-based routes. 

 – ends –

Notes to editors

This news release applies to England only.

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.

According to the 2007 UK Graduate Careers Survey, teaching is the second most popular career choice for UK graduates.

The ITT Trainee numbers census is an annual data collection process which seeks to collect information on the number and characteristics of trainees who register or are forecast to register on TDA-funded mainstream initial teacher training (ITT) courses for the forthcoming academic year.  The data is collected from all accredited mainstream ITT providers.

Trainees on Employment-based Initial Teacher Training routes (EBITTs) are collected via another system, the EBR database, which is open all year round and does not have timed collections such as the Census. The TDA collects EBITT data at the start of the academic year and also to reflect end of year recruitment, so we can look at the wider teaching recruitment picture

Teaching enquiries

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 0117 915 8161.

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 headteachers can rise to more than £90,000 depending on the size of school. Further details are available at www.teach.gov.uk/payandbenefits.

Eligible trainees on secondary 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, 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.

From 1 August 2008, the bursary for trainees starting ITT courses in secondary postgraduate English, dance and drama will be reduced from £9,000 to £6,000 and trainees will not be eligible for a golden hello. The bursary for trainees starting primary postgraduate ITT courses will be reduced from £6,000 to £4,000.

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.

Support staff enquiries

People interested in finding out more about the roles and further training for school support staff should visit www.tda.gov.uk/support.aspx or www.skills4schools.org.uk for more information on career pathways. They can also e-mail enquiries to info@skills4schools.org.uk or contact the Support Staff Enquiry Line 0845 600 2944.

Media enquiries

Michael Sheen or Simon Francis at Band & Brown Communications.
Tel: 020 7419 8616 / 7340
E-mail: michael@bbpr.com / simon.francis@bbpr.com

TDA Media Relations 020 7023 8080 
Out-of-hours 0777 193 4629
E-mail: mediarelations@tda.gov.uk

General TDA enquiries

Tel: 0870 4960 123