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Teachers Training Agency News

(25 July 2005)

OVER THIRTIES CHOOSE LANGUAGE TEACHING

More over 30s than ever are choosing to teach modern languages, according to new data published on the Teacher Training Agency’s (TTA) Performance Profiles website today.

In 1998/99 one quarter (26 per cent) of people starting secondary modern languages teacher training courses were over 30 years old. By 2003/4 the proportion has risen to over a third (36 per cent) – a ten percentage point increase.

The number of over 30s choosing to teach maths is also on the increase. In 1998/99, 39 per cent of new entrants were over 30. This rose to 48 per cent in 2003/4 a nine percentage point increase. For science there has been a 2 percentage point increase over the same period. The Performance Profiles website provides an online tool for people applying for initial teacher training to compare characteristics of courses being run at universities, colleges and school across the country.

The website contains a wealth of information on courses including:

• Ofsted’s quality rating and the numbers of trainees who gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on completion of training;
• age, gender and entry qualifications of previous trainees; and
• employment rates of Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) six months after completing training.

The newly published 2003/4 performance profiles also show:

• 31,810 final year trainees gained QTS, 89 per cent of the total number, and an increase of 2,716 (9 per cent) on the previous year; and
• 90 per cent of NQTs, whose circumstances are known six months after completing training, were employed in teaching posts. A further five per cent were seeking employment.

Graham Holley, Executive Director at the TTA, said: “Day-to-day job satisfaction, competitive pay and prospects, and flexible training options mean that teaching is proving an attractive career for older graduates - as well as being the top choice of career for final year students*. “Linguists considering their career options will find it’s an exciting time to become a languages teacher. More than 30 languages are now being taught in schools across England and there are nearly 200 schools with specialist language college status.

“People who are applying for initial teacher training now have easy access to all the information they need, on the Performance Profiles website, to find a course to suit their personal preferences. There are still places available on courses starting in September. To apply visit dataprovision.tta.gov.uk/public. A total of 37,578 trainees are included in the profiles for the academic year 2003/4. The figure is made up of 32,161 on mainstream training and 5,417 on employment based routes.

*The UK Graduate Careers Survey, conducted among 16,113 final year students at 30 universities in the UK and Ireland, showed teaching, media and marketing as the top three career destinations of choice. The report is published by High Fliers Research Ltd.

A newly qualified teacher (NQT) can expect to start on a salary of at least £19,023 (£22,611 in inner London). The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £32,391 outside London and £38,634 in inner London. Additional allowances may be paid to teachers considered to be excellent, and to those who take on management and other responsibilities. The pay scale for head teachers can rise to over £90,000 depending on size of school.

Eligible trainees on postgraduate initial teacher training courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6-9,000 tax free.

Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) with a PGCE in maths and science may also be eligible for a ‘golden hello’ payment worth £5,000 (taxed) after successfully completing their induction period. Those with a PGCE in modern languages, English or drama, design and technology, Information and Communications Technology, music and RE may receive £2,500. Details are available on the TTA website atwww.gttr.ac.uk Applications for undergraduate teacher training courses can be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service www.ucas.ac.uk

The Teacher Training Agency was established under the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to raise children's standards of achievement and promote their well-being by improving the training and development of the whole school workforce.

Media enquiries Media Relations Office Tel: 020 7023 8080 Out of hours: 0771 934629, e-mail: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk Teaching enquiries People interested in becoming a teacher should visit the TTA recruitment website, www.teach.gov.uk, or contact the Teaching Information Line (tel: 0845 6000 991 – 992 for Welsh speakers). General TTA enquiries: 0870 496 0123