Teacher training applications fall 12 per cent
These figures take into account both university led courses as well as school-led training, such as School Direct, and will likely add to growing fears of a teacher shortage.
The number of applicants in England dropped by 4,500 to 33,500 (12 per cent), while the total applications across England and Wales dropped 13 per cent from 122,500 to 106,500.
James Noble-Rogers, executive director for the Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers, has said the government should consider making bursaries available for all trainee teachers. Bursaries of up to £25,000 are currently available, but only on offer to ‘priority subjects’ such as physics, maths, computing, chemistry and languages.
He said: “There are very generous bursaries in some areas and we should look at making them available to all trainee teachers, not just for those with first-class degrees in particular subjects… It is right to incentivise recruitment in particular subjects but there is a case for across-the-board bursaries, because we want good people applying in all subjects.”
Latest News
20/04/2026 - 11:50
A creative careers programme which aims to inspire young people to explore careers across the creative industries has reached 210,000 young people since 2023.
20/04/2026 - 09:19
The Education Committee has published the government’s response to its report on improving the school estate and dealing with RAAC.
17/04/2026 - 10:24
The government is inviting EdTech companies and AI labs to develop AI tutoring tools, in collaboration with teachers, to ensure they support classroom practice.
17/04/2026 - 09:53
The government has rolled out new guidance and practical advice to help families get children ready for school
16/04/2026 - 12:03
Job adverts for secondary school teaching roles have dropped to their lowest level in nine years, raising fresh concerns about teacher recruitment in England.
