Trainee Teacher Numbers At Highest Point Since Pandemic. Sector Reaction To Initial Teacher Training Census Data

Trainee teacher numbers at highest point since pandemic, bringing the government closer to delivering its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers

Record numbers training in physics and computing with government exceeding trainee target in STEM for first time ever. Pupils will benefit from more expert teachers next year as new figures show record numbers of people are training to teach in vital subjects including physics and computing.

The latest Initial Teacher Training (ITT) census data shows strong growth in trainee numbers, with over 32,000 talented individuals choosing teaching as a career choice – a rise of 11% on last year – and government exceeding its target on recruitment of STEM teachers for the first time since it was introduced in 2019.

Physics trainees are up 36%, computing up 44%, and maths up by 16%. In total, the data shows an increase of 21% in STEM subjects – exceeding the trainee target – with 6,700 new entrants, meaning more children will have access to high-quality, specialist teachers, and helping to deliver on the government’s manifesto commitment to recruit and retain 6,500 additional teachers by the end of this Parliament.

The figures build on the action government is taking to ensure more young people can take up STEM subjects through its reforms to the national curriculum. This includes schools being expected to work towards offering triple science GCSE as standard, alongside exploring a new qualification for 16–18-year-olds in data science and AI – helping more young people succeed in the science and tech careers that power our economy.

With thousands more people training this year than last, the figures show growing recognition that teaching offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference every day – inspiring young minds, shaping futures, and transforming lives across communities nationwide.

A recent government survey showed pay satisfaction among teachers has almost doubled in the past two years, from 20% in 2023 to 38% this year, following consecutive awards totalling almost 10%.

Getting more expert teachers into classrooms is a cornerstone of the government’s Plan for Change – to break down barriers to opportunity. Excellent teaching and high standards are essential to helping every child achieve and thrive at school, regardless of their background.  

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said:

“I know first-hand the difference great teachers make – they opened up the world to me, and they do the same for children every single day.

“Today’s figures are further evidence of the strong progress in teacher recruitment after years of crisis, with growth in critical STEM subjects particularly encouraging as we work to give more children the skills and knowledge to succeed.

“It means more young people getting the expert teaching they deserve, learning from teachers who love their subject and know how to bring it alive in the classroom.”

Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA)

The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA) has also proven a popular and growing route into teaching. Offering a brilliant way for people to gain the hands-on skills and experience they need in the classroom from day one, helping them to become expert teachers and build a successful career in teaching. 

The figures published today provide a snapshot of new entrants to teacher training courses in England for the 2025/26 training year. Most of those completing their training will be qualified to enter classrooms from September 2026.

It builds on the progress made so far to meet the government’s pledge, with over 2,300 more secondary and special school teachers in 2024/25 compared to the previous year.

This government is taking action to recruit and retain more talented teachers by restoring teaching as the highly valued profession it should be, announcing pay awards of almost 10% over two years and committing to tackling poor pupil behaviour, high workload and poor wellbeing – the things that prevent teachers from staying on and thriving.

The government continues to offer financial incentives of up to £31,000 tax-free for talented individuals to train to teach to in shortage subjects, alongside expanded Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship routes that allow trainees to earn while they learn. 

Recruitment in STEM subjects has hugely surpassed expectations, with a 21% increase in entrants overall.

• Mathematics:
  • 2,588 new entrants (↑16% vs 2024/25)
  • 113% of target (2,300)
• Chemistry:
  • 864 new entrants (↑14%)
  • 118% of target (730)
• Biology:
  • 1,489 new entrants (↑13%)
  • 151% of target (985)
• Computing:
  • 715 new entrants (↑44%)
  • 80% of target (895)
  • Highest number since 2012/13
• Physics:
  • 1,086 new entrants (↑36%)
  • 77% of target (1,410)
  • Highest number since 2014/15

Sector-wide interest in the profession: There’s been an 11% increase in new people training to teach. New entrants specifically for PGITT have increased by 10% compared to last year.

Regional Spread: All regions saw increases in teacher recruitment.

• Largest increases:
  • North West: ↑16%
  • North East: ↑15%
• Smallest increase:
  • South East: ↑6%

Sector Reaction

Commenting on the initial teacher training census for the 2025-26 academic year, Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“While there are certainly some positive signs here, the fact remains that the target for ITT recruitment in secondary subjects has once again been missed. With one exception, this has happened every year since 2012/13. The target has been missed in around half of all secondary subjects, despite targets being substantially reduced in many cases. While improvements in subjects such as music and design and technology are to be celebrated, the actual increase in the number of new teachers is very small.

“The reality on the ground is that school leaders are struggling with staff shortages in many subject areas. The government cannot afford to rest on their laurels and think that one year of slightly better recruitment can fix such a widespread problem. We need to see sustained growth over many years. This will require improvements to pay and conditions in order to attract greater numbers of people into teaching, and to keep them there in the long term.”  

Commenting on today’s publication of the DfE’s Initial Teacher Training (ITT) census data, Jack Worth, NFER’s Education Workforce Lead, said:

“Improved recruitment to postgraduate teacher training in England is welcome after years of severe under-recruitment. While targets for core secondary subjects including English, maths and the sciences have been met, overall secondary recruitment still falls short of the numbers required.

“Further policy efforts to improve teacher recruitment and retention will be needed to maintain the stronger recruitment, reverse the impacts of previous persistent under-recruitment and deliver on the Government’s objective to recruit 6,500 new teachers.”

Commenting on the new initial teacher training data released today by the Department for Education, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union, the NAHT said:

“On the face of it, these figures show some welcome progress on trainee numbers.

“However, this comes against a backdrop of the surprising move to steep cuts in targets for both primary and secondary recruitment by around a fifth at a time when school leaders continue to tell us they are facing shortages of teachers.

“Even with these lower targets, secondary recruitment still fell some way short of what was hoped for at a time when the number of secondary school pupils is increasing

“Crucially, too many new and experienced teachers and leaders are still quitting amid long hours, spiralling pupil needs, the harm caused by Ofsted inspections, and the failure of pay to keep pace with other graduate professions, despite improvements in the last couple of years. It’s like trying to fill a bath without a plug.

“Other recent data shows almost one in five (19.4%) teachers quit within two years of qualification, rising to more than one in four (26.7%) after three years.

“We need the government to not only go further in recruiting new teachers, but also in ensuring the job remains attractive to them once they take post. That means prioritising retention of serving teachers and leaders by tackling unsustainable levels of workload, truly rethinking unnecessary high stakes accountability – including Ofsted, promoting flexible working, and delivering further above-inflation pay rises over to restore real-terms pay to 2020 levels.”

James Toop, CEO of Teach First, commented:

“After far too many years of persistent shortages, it is a huge relief to see post-graduate teacher recruitment finally turning a corner. STEM entrants are up by more than a fifth, with significant surges in physics and computer science – subjects schools have long struggled to recruit for. This progress means more pupils will have access to the high-quality teaching they deserve.

“But while this progress is welcome, we know it won’t be felt evenly. More affluent schools are likely to benefit first, while those serving the greatest disadvantage may wait longer to see the change. That’s why pay incentives for shortage-subject trainees and for teachers working in the areas of greatest need remain essential,  helping to ensure this positive trajectory reaches those most in need.”