The number of graduates who have applied to train as teachers so far this year is 22 per cent higher than at the same point in 2001, school standards minister Stephen Timms told the Commons. In answer to a question from Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell, who had asked about the impact of the “Those who can, teach” campaign, Mr Timms said that recruitment to initial teacher training courses rose for a second successive year last September.
The Teacher Training Agency’s information line also received 48 per cent more enquiries last year than in 19992000. The number of people enquiring about teaching careers between September and last month was 10 per cent higher than in the same period the year before.