§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many recruits there have been to the Fast Track scheme over the last year, broken down by(a) subject, (b) phase of training and (c) previous occupation. [122983]
§ Mr. MilibandOver 2,000 applications to join the Fast Track teaching programme were received this year, and final selection is still in progress. To date, 298 people have been offered places on Fast Track this year, almost double the number of places taken up last year (161).
Number of applications to join the Fast Track teaching programme Subject 1Number of places offered Art 4 Business and Economics 13 Design and Technology 4 English 55 Geography 13 History 29 Information Technology 3 Maths 17 Modern Foreign Languages 24 Music 2 Physical Education 1 Religious Education 2 Science 53 Subtotal—Secondary 220 Subtotal—Primary 78 Total 298 1As of 30 June 2003. It is estimated that the final number of places offered this year will be between 320 and 350.
Over half of all new entrants joining Fast Track this year have three or more years' work experience, with around 20 per cent. having had successful careers of 10 or more years in a different field. A wide variety of previous career experience is represented amongst Fast Track teachers, including law, NHS management, the City, academia, the civil service, the armed services and police, and a wide variety of industrial and commercial backgrounds, including electronics, pharmaceuticals and ICT.
I will write to the hon. Member with detailed information on previous occupations and academic qualifications of new entrants in September, once recruitment for 2003 is complete.