HC Deb 01 May 2002 vol 384 cc804-5W
Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her Department's publication of figures relating to teacher vacancies, how many vacancies there are at Key Stages(a) one and two and (b) three and four. [53665]

Mr. Timms

[holding answer 30 April 2002]: The information is not available in the form requested. In January 2002 there were 1,700 vacant teacher posts in maintained primary schools and 2,440 vacant teacher posts in maintained secondary schools in England. These figures are provisional.

The vacancies recorded had been advertised and were for full-time permanent appointments or full-time appointments of at least one term's duration, which existed at the survey date and which the local education authority or school concerned intended to or had unsuccessfully attempted to fill.

Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers left the profession in each of the last five years, broken down by the reason given for leaving. [53667]

Mr. Timms

[holding answer 30 April 2002]: The numbers of teachers leaving regular full or part time service in the maintained schools sector in England were as follows. The latest provisional data available are for 31 March 2000.

1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000
Age retirement 1,900 1,700 1,900 1,900 2,300
Ill health retirement 4,600 4,800 3.400 2,300 2,300
Premature retirement 8,600 10,300 11,200 3,800 4,300
Other leavers 20,300 18,800 22,500 23,600 26,100
Total 35,400 35,600 39.000 31,600 34,900

Many of the teachers leaving the profession in these years will come back into service.

Some 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. of part-timers are not recorded on the Teachers' Pension Scheme, from which the data are obtained.