§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what reasons underlie the changes in the number of teacher training places since 1997. [54276]
§ Mr. TimmsThe number of places on courses of initial teacher training that my right hon. Friend makes available each year is designed to ensure a supply of newly qualified teachers adequate for the forecast needs of maintained schools in England. The total is informed by a statistical model of the demand for new teachers, taking account of the availability of funding and of the capacity of training providers. The number of places available has risen each year since 1999–2000 and, from this September, will be the highest for over a decade.