Number of teacher training recruits drops
Figures published yesterday by UCAS reveal a drop of almost 7% in acceptances to teacher training programmes in England and Wales in 2016-17.
But the North East is the region faring the best in the country in terms of placing trainee teachers.
In England and Wales, only 26,000 recruits were accepted on to teacher training courses for 2016-17, as government targets for recruitment in the profession have been missed for five consecutive years. This is a decrease of 1,900 acceptances since last year.
The North East has the highest proportion of teacher training recruits, with over 60% (1,210) of the 2,000 existing applicants in the region having been placed. Overall, 1,300 applicants from across the country got a place with a North East provider out of a total of 5,700 applications.
However, both the number of applicants from the region and applications to North East providers have decreased by over 2.6% compared to last year.
SCHOOLS NorthEast launched an initiative last year aimed at helping schools in the region recruit the best possible candidates to fill their teaching and supply vacancies. This jobs board was created by schools for schools and it is a cost-effective solution to their recruitment needs. It can cost as little as £150 to advertise unlimited vacancies for a year. Please visit www.jobsinschoolsnortheast.com to see the website, or email info@jobsinschoolsnortheast.com for further details.
Speaking to the BBC, Malcolm Trobe, acting general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:
There are severe teacher shortages in schools across the country, particularly in maths and science.
Schools have to rely upon supply staff and non-specialists to teach many classes.