| answer text |
<p>Secondary postgraduate recruitment is at its highest level since 2011/12, showing
that teaching continues to be an attractive career choice among graduates. It is encouraging
that we have the highest number of trainee teachers in science and maths since 2011/12.
Physics, traditionally the hardest subject area in which to recruit, is up 15% on
2015/16.</p><p>We recognise the challenge, particularly as the economy continues to
strengthen, pupil numbers grow and the demand for talented graduates increases. This
is why we continue to focus on recruiting the best graduates, particularly in the
core academic subjects such as science and maths.</p><p>Physics trainees receive the
highest bursary levels available, reflecting the fact it is a key priority for the
Government, and physics graduates are in high demand across the economy. Physics trainees
with a first receive a £30,000 bursary, and those trainees with a 2:1 or 2:2 in Maths
or Physics receive a £25,000 bursary. Chemistry trainees with a first receive a £25,000
and those with a 2:1 or 2:2 receiving £20,000. Biology trainees receive a bursary
of up to £15,000.</p><p>We are also continuing to fund the prestigious scholarship
schemes in maths and physics.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, the Government has committed
£67m to the STEM Teacher Supply Package. This package consists of a number of strands,
which aim to improve pupil outcomes in mathematics and physics by improving the quality
of teaching in the classroom. The package focuses on achieving this by recruiting
a higher proportion of new teachers with specialist STEM backgrounds and providing
qualified teachers who are not STEM specialists, but who have a firm grounding in
a STEM, with subject specialism training.</p><p> </p><p>Teacher retention has remained
broadly stable for the past 20 years, with around 90% of teachers working in a state-funded
school the year after qualifying, and around seven out of ten teachers still in the
classroom after five years. We recognise the importance of supporting schools to retain
good teachers, which is why we have taken action in the areas that teachers tell us
are most likely to cause them to consider leaving the profession, such as reducing
unnecessary workload and tackling poor pupil behaviour.</p>
|
|
