Number of men applying to teach soars by 49%

The recession has contributed to a spike of nearly 50 per cent in the number of men applying to become teachers, figures showed today.

Statistics released from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) revealed a 49 per cent increase in male applicants, from 7,885 in the 2008/09 year to 11,721 for 2009/10.

Research suggests that the economic downturn has led to the jump in those wanting to teach, with recession and redundancies forcing people to re-evaluate their career goals.

Maths is one of the main winners. The number of people wanting to teach the subject has soared by 33 per cent.

It will go some way to address a perceived shortage of maths teachers in recent years.

Latest figures also reveal that more men want to teach in primary schools - positions at which have historically been difficult to fill with male applicants.

The number of men applying to teach primary education jumped by 52 per cent in 2009/10.

Commenting on the figures, Graham Holley, chief executive of the TDA, said: "There has been a sharp rise in applications to teacher training from people working in other professions.

"They recognise that teaching can fulfil their ambitions, provide challenges, and offer rewards such as a competitive salary and great opportunities for career progression."