Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to increase the number of primary school teachers who have one or more science A-Levels.

There are no subject-specific entry requirements for primary courses of initial teacher training (ITT) and there are no plans to introduce new requirements. All ITT entrants are required to satisfy a rigorous selection process which is designed to assess their suitability to teach and providers of ITT must ensure trainees can demonstrate a secure knowledge of the relevant subject(s) to deliver the curriculum which, in the case of primary trainees, includes teaching science in primary schools.

The Department for Education funds the National Science Learning Network to support both primary and secondary teachers with subject specific professional development. This includes supporting the implementation of the new national curriculum.