Mathematics and Science: Teachers

(asked on 27th February 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help recruit and retain specialist teachers in mathematics and science-based subjects.


Answered by
Nick Gibb Portrait
Nick Gibb
This question was answered on 2nd March 2017

Secondary postgraduate recruitment is at its highest level since 2011/12, showing that teaching continues to be an attractive career choice among graduates. It is encouraging that we have the highest number of trainee teachers in science and maths since 2011/12. Physics, traditionally the hardest subject area in which to recruit, is up 15% on 2015/16.

We recognise the challenge, particularly as the economy continues to strengthen, pupil numbers grow and the demand for talented graduates increases. This is why we continue to focus on recruiting the best graduates, particularly in the core academic subjects such as science and maths.

Physics trainees receive the highest bursary levels available, reflecting the fact it is a key priority for the Government, and physics graduates are in high demand across the economy. Physics trainees with a first receive a £30,000 bursary, and those trainees with a 2:1 or 2:2 in Maths or Physics receive a £25,000 bursary. Chemistry trainees with a first receive a £25,000 and those with a 2:1 or 2:2 receiving £20,000. Biology trainees receive a bursary of up to £15,000.

We are also continuing to fund the prestigious scholarship schemes in maths and physics.

Additionally, the Government has committed £67m to the STEM Teacher Supply Package. This package consists of a number of strands, which aim to improve pupil outcomes in mathematics and physics by improving the quality of teaching in the classroom. The package focuses on achieving this by recruiting a higher proportion of new teachers with specialist STEM backgrounds and providing qualified teachers who are not STEM specialists, but who have a firm grounding in a STEM, with subject specialism training.

Teacher retention has remained broadly stable for the past 20 years, with around 90% of teachers working in a state-funded school the year after qualifying, and around seven out of ten teachers still in the classroom after five years. We recognise the importance of supporting schools to retain good teachers, which is why we have taken action in the areas that teachers tell us are most likely to cause them to consider leaving the profession, such as reducing unnecessary workload and tackling poor pupil behaviour.

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