24. Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the number of headteachers leaving the profession in Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [119648]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe leaving rate of headteachers in Gloucestershire during 1997–98 (the latest year for which figures are available) was 9.4 per cent., similar to the national rate of 9.6 per cent. Since that time the leaving rate of headteachers taking early retirement has declined, although the full figures for headteacher leavers are not yet available.