Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to encourage graduates with a first class degree into the teaching profession; and if she will make a statement.

The Government is committed to recruiting the most talented graduates to enter Initial Teacher Training (ITT). We offer a range of financial incentives to attract the best graduates into teaching. In September 2016, we announced tax-free bursaries for those training in 2017/18. In several subjects and primary, trainees with a first class degree are eligible for the highest bursary. We also offer prestigious scholarships in chemistry, computing, geography, languages, maths and physics, delivered in partnership with the professional bodies for these subjects. These are aimed at top graduates, particularly those with first class degrees, who have the potential to be outstanding teachers. In addition, the Government continues to support the growth of Teach First, a two-year teacher training programme recruiting high quality graduates, 21% with first class degrees and 71% from Russell Group universities in 2016/17, to train in schools in some of the most deprived areas of the country.

The most recent ITT Census figures show that the quality of entrants continues to be high, with 18% of this year’s postgraduate cohort holding a first class degree. This proportion is unchanged since last year, is the highest on record and is up from 10% in 2010/11.