HL Deb 10 April 2000 vol 612 cc12-6WA
Baroness Blatch

asked Her Majesty's Government: What are:

  1. (a) the average A-level points score; and
  2. (b) the upper and lower decile of the distribution of A-level point scores
for entrants to initial teacher training courses, showing figures for BEd and PGCE courses separately, for each of the last 10 years. [HL1835]

The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)

Statistics based upon available A-level point scores data for entrants to initial teacher training courses for BEd degrees with qualified teacher status in England for the academic year 1997–98 are shown in the following table.

Average Upper decile Lower dccile
14.4 22 6

Source:

Teacher Training Agency—data collected for the performance profiles.

Note:

Candidates with more than three A-levels are scored for the best three, all candidates with three or fewer A-levels are scored and counted. AS-levels are scored as half an A-level.

The following table gives statistics based upon available A-level point scores data for applicants accepted for degrees mainly leading to a BEd with qualified teacher status.

Year of entry Average Upper decile Lower decile
1994 13.9 22 8
1995 14.1 22 8
1996 14.4 22 8
1997 14.8 22 8
1998 15.2 24 8
1999 15.2 24 8
Source:
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
Notes:
1 For 1994, entry figures include physical education courses not leading to a BEd with qualified teacher status.
2 For 1995, entry figures include sports science and leisure recreation courses not leading to a BEd with qualified teacher status.
3 From 1995 onwards, figures include combined courses of education with another subject not necessarily leading to a BEd with qualified teacher status.
4 Candidates with more than three A-levels are scored for the best three, candidates

Teachers trained in England1 for nursery, primary and secondary teaching, by phase and subject2, who had not entered the teaching profession3 within five years after completing initial teacher training
Qualified in calendar year 1988 Qualified in calendar year 1993
Total qualified Of which: not entered by 31 March 1993 Total qualified Of which: not entered by 31 March 1998
Nursery/primary trained4 6,880 490 11,020 1,130
Secondary trained5
Mathematics 920 130 1,370 210
English6 790 90 1,250 100
Science 1,320 180 1,960 250
Modern foreign languages 620 60 1,250 130
Technology7 940 120 1,490 210
History 320 30 560 50
Geography 280 30 430 30
Art 370 50 530 110
Music- 270 20 410 40
Religious education 250 30 320 30
Physical education 670 90 740 80
Other 620 110 350 50
Total secondary 7,360 940 10,670 1,290
Total nursery, primary and secondary 14,240 1.430 21.680 2,410
NB Figures may not add to the total because of rounding.
1 Trained in England or through the Open University.
2 First subject recorded.
3 Those who are not recorded as having entered any sector of teaching in England or Wales. Some teachers will be counted as not entering service because their service is not recorded, i.e. teachers in the old university sector, those in independent schools who are not members of the teachers pension scheme (TPS), those in part-time service outside the maintained nursery, primary secondary and special sector who are not members of the TPS.
4 Those whose training specialised in teaching pupils of primary age.
5 Those whose training specialised in teaching pupils of secondary age.
6 English includes drama.
7 Technology includes design and technology, engineering, computer studies, business studies, commerce, home economics and needlecraft.

Teachers trained in England1 for nursery, primary and secondary teaching, by phase, subject2 and whether they were in service in their fifth year after completing initial teacher training.
Qualified in calendar year 1988 Qualified in calendar year 1993
Total qualified In service in March 19933 Total qualified In service in March 19983
Nursery/primary trained4 6,880 5,110 11,020 7,570
Secondary trained5
Mathematics 920 580 1,370 840
English6 790 540 1,250 850

with fewer than two A-levels are excluded. AS-levels are scored as half an A-level.

Reliable data for A-level point scores for postgraduate trainees are not collected centrally.

Baroness Blatch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many initial teacher trainees for years for which the information is available:

  1. (a) did not enter the teaching profession;
  2. (b) entered the teaching profession and were still teaching five years later; and
  3. (c) entered the teaching profession and were still teaching 10 years later.
showing the figures for primary and secondary teachers separately and for secondary teachers showing the numbers for each subject separately. [HL1836]

Baroness Blackstone

The information requested is shown in the following tables.

Teachers trained in England1 for nursery, primary and secondary teaching, by phase, subject2 and whether they were in service in their fifth year after completing initial teacher training.
Qualified in calendar year 1988 Qualified in calendar year 1993
Total qualified In service in March 19933 Total qualified In service in March 19983
Science 1,320 860 1,960 1,260
Modern foreign languages 620 410 1,250 800
Technology7 940 670 1,490 990
History 320 230 560 390
Geography 280 210 430 310
Art 370 230 530 320
Music 270 200 410 270
Religious education 250 150 320 220
Physical education 670 450 740 510
Other 620 390 350 220
Total secondary 7,360 4,940 10,670 6,990
Total primary and secondary 14,240 10,050 21,680 14,550
NB Figures may not add to the total because of rounding.
1 Trained in England or through the Open University.
2 First subject recorded.
3 Those who are recorded as in service in any sector of teaching in England or Wales. Some teachers will be counted as not entering service because their service is not recorded, i.e. teachers in the "old" university sector, those in independent schools who are not members of the teachers pension scheme (TPS); those in part-time service outside the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector who are not members of the TPS.
4 Those whose training specialised in teaching pupils of primary age.
5 Those whose training specialised in teaching pupils of secondary age.
6 English includes drama.
7 Technology includes design and technology, engineering, computer studies, business studies, commerce, home economics and needlecraft.

Teachers trained in England 1 for nursery, primary and secondary teaching, by phase, subject 2 and whether they were in service in their tenth year after completing initial teacher training
Qualified in calendar year 1988
Total qualified In service in March 19983
Nursery/primary trained4 6,880 4,160
Secondary trained5
Mathematics 920 510
English6 790 480
Science 1,320 770
Modern foreign languages 620 330
Technology7 940 610
History 320 200
Geography 280 180
Art 370 210
Music 270 170
Religious education 250 140
Physical education 670 420
Other 620 320
Total secondary 7,360 4,330
Total primary and secondary 14,240 8,480
NB Figures may not add to the total because of rounding.
1 Training in England or through the Open University.
2First subject recorded.
3 Those who are recorded as in service in any sector of teaching in England or Wales. Some teachers will be counted as not entering service because their service is not recorded, ie teachers in the "old" university sector; those in independent schools who are not members of the teachers pension scheme (TPS); those in part-time service outside the maintained nursery primary; secondary and special sector who are not members of the TPS.
4 Those whose training specialised in teaching pupils of primary age.
5 Those whose training specialised in teaching pupils of secondary age.
6 English includes drama.

7 Techology includes design and technology, engineering, computer studies, business studies, commerce, home economics and needlecraft.

The Government were particularly concerned about the numbers who have left the profession (excluding those taking career breaks, often for family reasons), within 10 years, which is why they have introduced the teachers pay reforms to improve retention.