§ Mr. Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what proportions of secondary school teachers of physical sciences in England and Wales are estimated to be (a) over 50 years of age and (b) over 40 years of age;
(2) what proportions of secondary school mathematics teachers in England and Wales are estimated to be (a) over 50 years of age and (b) over 40 years of age.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe estimates given are derived from a survey of a sample of maintained secondary schools in England carried out by this Department in 1984. Corresponding information about Welsh secondary schools is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
England full-time teachers teaching named subject in maintained secondary schools, 1984 Estimated percentage who were 50 years of age and over 40 years of age and over Mathematics 18 44 Chemistry* 13 40 Physics* 14 42 * Some physics and chemistry teaching is also carried out by teachers of "General Science" or "Other Science" where these subjects cannot be separately distinguished.