HC Deb 29 July 1988 vol 138 cc617-9W
Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of English teachers in secondary schools have (a) higher degrees, (b) first degrees, (c) A-level pass, (d) O-level pass and (e) other academic qualifications in this subject.

Mrs. Rumbold

In January 1984, the latest date for which full figures of post-A-level qualifications are available, there were an estimated 45,700 full and part-time teachers who taught English in maintained secondary schools in England. The percentages of these teachers qualified in English beyond A-level are as follows. No information is available on the A and O-level qualifications of secondary school teachers.

Percentage of teachers
Main subject of higher degree 2
Main subject of degree (including BEd) 36
Main subject of other post A level qualification 17
Subsidiary subject of degree (including BEd) 3
Subsidiary subject of other post A level qualification 13
No qualification in the subject beyond A level 29

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his latest estimate of the numbers of teachers required to teach(a) science, (b) mathematics and (c) modern languages by 1992.

Mrs. Rumbold

Estimates of the numbers of teachers required to teach subjects within the national curriculum will depend on the timetable for the introduction of its various requirements, on my right hon. Friend's proposals in respect of each subject and on the outcome of the National Curriculum Council's subsequent consultations.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what were the numbers of entrants into teacher training for(a) science, (b) mathematics and (c) modern languages in each of the last available five years;

(2) how many graduates of (a) universities and (b) polytechnics entered the teaching profession for each of the last available five years.

Mrs. Rumbold

I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the numbers of teachers qualifying from training in(a) science, (b) mathematics and (c) modern languages for each of the last available five years.

Mrs. Rumbold

Numbers entering secondary courses of initial teacher training in English universities, polytechnics and colleges in, respectively, science, mathematics and modern languages, in each of the last five years were:

Science Mathematics Modern languages
1983 1,400 1,041 724
1984 1,300 917 716
1985 1,215 791 697
1986 1,310 848 631
1987 1,573 1,140 681

Notes:

1. Figures based on returns of intakes to secondary initial teacher training courses made each autumn by universities, polytechnics and colleges to the DES.

2. Figures on entrants to primary courses of initial teacher training are not disaggregated by subject specialism.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers left the profession before the official retirement age for each of the last available five years.

Mrs. Rumbold

The numbers of full-time maintained nursery, primary and secondary teachers leaving the maintained, assisted and grant-aided sector before the age of 60 in each of the last five available years are as follows:

Financial year Teachers
1980–81 28,600
1981–82 26,345
1982–83 25,627
1983–84 25,382
1984–85 27,171
11985–86 27,224
1Provisional.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many places there were for graduates in English on postgraduate teaching courses for each of the last available five years.

Mrs. Rumbold

Aggregate numbers of target places in English universities, polytechnics and colleges for secondary PGCE courses in English in each of the last five years were:

Year Places
1983 775
1984 716
1983 729
1986 763
1987 758

In addition, over this period it was open to graduates in English, as in other subjects, to proceed to PGCE courses for intending primary teachers.