The Number of New Entrants to Teacher Training Increases by 5% in 2024/25

Thursday, December 5, 2024

The Department for Education (DfE) has published its latest Initial Teacher Training Census (ITT) data for the 2024/25 academic year. The report shows a 5% increase in the number of new entrants to teacher training compared to the previous year, with 27,746 trainees enrolling in Initial Teacher Training. Despite this growth, the total remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.

The ITT Census collects information annually on the number and characteristics of entrants into ITT programs in England, helping to assess progress toward meeting teacher recruitment targets.

National ITT Key Facts and Figures for 2024/25

  • 27,746 total new entrants to ITT in 2024/25, a 5% increase from 26,342 in 2023/24.
  • 23,011 postgraduate entrants started teacher training this year, up 8% from 21,371 last year.
  • Undergraduate entrants decreased by 5%, with 4,735 new trainees, compared to 4,971 in 2023/24.
  • 69% of postgraduate ITT targets were met, an increase from 60% in 2023/24, but recruitment remains below desired levels.

Primary and Secondary Recruitment

Primary Teacher Training

  • Recruitment to primary ITT achieved 88% of the target, down from 94% in 2023/24.
  • This marks a slight decline in primary training, which has historically achieved or exceeded its targets.

Secondary Teacher Training

  • Secondary ITT recruitment met 62% of its target, an improvement from 48% in 2023/24.
  • Recruitment targets for English, Biology, History, Physical Education, and Classics were exceeded. However, most other secondary subjects fell short.

Recruitment Challenges Persist

While the increase in new entrants is encouraging, recruitment challenges remain significant, particularly for secondary subjects. Targets for postgraduate ITT were lowered for 2024/25 (from 35,540 to 33,355), yet only 69% of these targets were achieved. This reflects ongoing difficulties in attracting trainees to meet the growing demand for teachers in England.

You can read the Initial Teacher Training Census here.

 

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