To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Teachers: Training
Tuesday 27th October 2015

Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 17 July (HL558), what assessment they have made of the impact of the declining number of professionally trained teachers in primary schools on classroom discipline and pupil behaviour at secondary level; and whether they intend to undertake any research on that issue.

Answered by Lord Nash

Between 2010 and 2014 the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of teachers in primary schools in England has increased by 19,100 (from 196,400 FTEs to 215,500 FTEs). This represents an increase of 9.7% since 2010.


The full-time equivalent number of qualified teachers in primary schools in England has increased over the same period by 17,100 FTEs – from 192,500 FTEs in 2010 to 209,600 FTEs in 2014.


We are determined that every child is able to work and study hard without disruption. We have given head teachers more powers to tackle poor behaviour, including strengthening their powers to search pupils and the removal of the requirement to give parents 24 hours’ written notice of after-school detention. We have revised and simplified advice to schools on promoting good behaviour and maintaining discipline, ensuring they have the confidence to exclude pupils when it is necessary.


Now we are going further by appointing behaviour expert Tom Bennett to lead a review to ensure new teachers are fully trained in dealing with disruptive children and also consider all of the challenges of managing behaviour in schools.


Written Question
Teachers: Training
Monday 26th October 2015

Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 17 July (HL558), what assessment they have made of the impact of the declining number of professionally trained teachers in primary schools on the reading, writing and numerical attainment of children at 11 years of age; and whether they intend to take steps to reverse the decline in teachers who are professionally trained.

Answered by Lord Nash

Between 2010 and 2014, the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of teachers in primary schools in England has increased by 19,100 (from 196,400 FTEs to 215,500 FTEs). This represents an increase of 9.7% compared with 2010.


The full-time equivalent number of qualified teachers in primary schools in England has increased over the same period by 17,100 FTEs – from 192,500 FTEs in 2010 to 209,600 FTEs in 2014.


The proportion of children in England achieving level 4 or above in reading, writing and mathematics has continued to rise over recent years; from 75% in 2013 to 80% in 2015.


Written Question
Teachers: Training
Monday 29th June 2015

Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of primary school teachers in England have been professionally trained through recognised three-year teacher training courses, and what percentage through a one-year Postgraduate Course in Education; and how those percentages have changed since 2005.

Answered by Lord Nash

The department does not hold data on the percentage of primary teachers professionally trained through recognised three-year teacher training courses or one-year postgraduate courses. The department does hold information on primary trainee teachers who were awarded qualified teacher status (QTS).

In the 2012 to 2013 academic year, 28% of those awarded QTS in England trained through an undergraduate programme. 72% trained through a postgraduate programme. This has changed from 37% and 63% respectively in the 2004 to 2005 academic year.

Undergraduate courses are typically three or four years. Postgraduate courses are typically for one year and the vast major lead to PGCE.

Number of primary trainees gaining QTS who were on undergraduate courses

Number of primary trainees gaining QTS who were on postgraduate courses

Total number of primary trainees gaining QTS

Percentage primary trainees gaining QTS who were on undergraduate courses

Percentage of primary trainees gaining QTS who were on postgraduate courses

2004/05

4,550

7,774

12,324

37%

63%

2005/06

4,652

7,542

12,194

38%

62%

2006/07

5,091

7,397

12,488

41%

59%

2007/08

5,335

7,916

13,251

40%

60%

2008/09

5,609

10,135

15,744

36%

64%

2009/10

5,212

10,454

15,666

33%

67%

2010/11

5,093

10,701

15,794

32%

68%

2011/12

5,381

12,101

17,482

31%

69%

2012/13

5,111

12,934

18,045

28%

72%

1) Data excludes Teach First and Assessment Only

2) Data includes Employment Based Teacher Training (EBITT)

3) Data for 2013/13 includes School Direct Trainees