Nick Gibb statement following publication of the Initial teacher training: trainee number census

Statement from School Standards Minister Nick Gibb below following the publication of the Initial teacher training: trainee number census 2020 to 2021

The census shows:

• 41,472 new trainee teachers were recruited this year - an increase of 7,673 (23 per cent) compared to last year.
• This year’s rise was the largest year-on-year increase in recent years for both postgraduate and undergraduates
• 6,550 more postgraduate teachers have been recruited this year and 1,123 more undergraduate trainees.
• The quality of new entrants into the profession remains high, with 23 per cent of postgraduate entrants holding a first class degree
• Trainee numbers increased for all subjects except geography and classics
• We have recruited just under 2,000 more teachers for EBacc subjects compared to last year, up 18 percentage points in terms of performance against the TSM target compared to last year.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said:

“We have seen a tremendous surge in the number of new trainee teachers this year – over 7,000 more than in 2019 – which goes to show that teaching continues to be an attractive career option.

“This includes a significant increase across both undergraduate and postgraduate trainees, and with 23 per cent of postgraduate entrants holding a first class degree the quality of this year’s trainee teachers remains high.

“Teaching is a rewarding and vital profession and it’s thanks to the incredible efforts of teachers and school staff that pupils have continued to receive an excellent education this year.”