HL Deb 01 November 2000 vol 618 c103WA
Baroness Sharp of Guildford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of those entering schoolteaching from PGCE courses in secondary education in 1997, 1998, and 1999 dropped out of teaching within two years of graduating. [HL4280]

Baroness Blackstone

The most recent data available show that, of the 11,700 graduates from secondary PGCE courses in calendar year 1997 in England, 820 had left teaching in the maintained sector by 31 March 1999. Some of these will have left for career breaks and will return to teaching; others may have moved to other sectors.

The number of regular teachers in maintained schools increased by 6,900 between January 1998 and January 2000.

A DfEE survey of maintained secondary schools in England in the first week of September 2000 indicated that there were about 1,000 secondary teacher vacancies. The equivalent figure at January 2000 was 1,200.

Baroness Sharp of Guildford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of those graduating from PGCE courses in secondary education in 1997, 1998, and 1999 pursued careers in teaching for at least a year. [HL4279]

Baroness Blackstone

The most recent data available show that, of the 11,700 graduates from secondary PGCE courses in calendar year 1997 in England, around 7,300 had accrued at least one year of teaching service in the maintained sector by 31 March 1999, the same proportion as the previous year's graduate cohort. A further 670 were in service in the maintained sector but had not yet completed a year of service (having probably taken a gap year). Some graduates will also have entered other teaching service, for example, in the independent, further education or higher education sectors.

The number of regular teachers in maintained schools increased by 6,900 between January 1998 and January 2000.

A DfEE survey of maintained secondary schools in England in the first week of September 2000 indicated that there were about 1,000 secondary teacher vacancies. The equivalent figure at January 2000 was 1,200.