Primary schools not included in DfE’s 6,500 new teacher target

The Times Educational Supplement reports that Primary schools not included in DfE’s 6,500 new teacher target.

'Jack Worth, lead economist at the National Foundation for Educational Research, highlighted that the wording the education secretary used'. “...seems to deliberately exclude primary schools from the definition” and added that he “wouldn’t be surprised if that is the case when they do publish a definition”. “This is because primary pupil numbers are falling slightly and expected to fall further over the next few years,” he added.

Schools Week asks the DfE to exercise caution. 'However, while the signs are more positive for a key metric of system health and pupil number trends will go on easing some pressure, schools are not out of the woods. As the TES points out, 'The government data shows that state-funded nursery and primary schools saw a decrease of 2,900 teachers - or 1.3 per cent this year'.