Industry News
Pupil to teacher ratio is improving
Posted on 29th April 2008
Statistics released today (April 29th) by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) show that the pupil-teacher ratio is improving in schools.
However, the statistics also showed that the number of teacher vacancies had risen to 2,510 from 2,040 in January 2007.
The number of teachers this year rose by 1,900 compared to last January, an increase of 0.4 per cent.
This meant that the current pupil to teacher ratio stands at 16.8, down from last year's 17.0.
Schools minister Jim Knight said: "There are now more teachers, teaching assistants and support staff and more staff per pupil than ever before."
He went on to say that by freeing up teachers from administrative tasks they were able to give pupils more individual attention.
The results come nearly a week after the National Union of Teachers's strike, which saw teachers claiming reduced pay increase was turning graduates away from the profession.