Home > News > August 2006 > 16 August 2006

TDA reports rise in maths and science NQTs

The number of newly qualified teachers in mathematics and science continues to grow, according to data published by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA).

Information collected from providers of Initial Teacher Training in England - universities, colleges and schools - showed that during the academic year 2004/05, the number of trainees who gained Qualified Teacher Status in mathematics was 2,014, compared with 1,849 the previous year and 936 in 1998 -1999. The number in science was 2,810, compared with 2,711 the previous year and 1,910 in 1998-1999.

In all, according to the research, 33,750 trainees qualified as teachers -15,259 primary, and 18,491 secondary and key stage 2/3. The total is a rise of six per cent over the previous year.

The data also showed:

• 56 per cent of postgraduate trainees with a UK first degree had a degree classification of 2:1 or better, compared with 55 per cent the previous year
• 31 per cent of first year trainees (12,180 people) were aged 30 or over
• 11 per cent of first year trainees (4,152 people) declared they were from minority ethnic backgrounds

Michael Day, executive director for Initial Teacher Training at the TDA, said: "This data demonstrates that there has been real progress in producing the high quality new teachers that schools are looking for.

"Ofsted has said that this generation of newly qualified teachers is the best ever, and the number of teachers with good degrees is also rising.

"We still need to work hard to help providers find more strong candidates in maths and science and the TDA will continue to campaign vigorously to remind people with degrees and experience in those areas that teaching is intellectually stimulating, exciting and a job in which no two days are the same."

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