Latest news: Lack of male teachers

The General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) has published a report showing that one in four primary schools have no registered male teachers. 12/09/2011

Although the number of primaries with no male teachers fell by 130 this year, comparatively there are only six state secondary schools in England without male teachers.

Accordingly the GTCE’s 2011 annual digest suggests that the teaching profession is predominantly female, with women making up 75% of those registered and in service.

‘These figures suggest little change in the long-term imbalance between the numbers of men and women both in the profession as a whole and in school leadership roles,’ said Alan Meyrick, GTCE chief executive.

The report coincides with government plans to start an autumn programme encouraging former members of the armed forces to become teachers. It is hoped that a greater number of men teaching, will display to children male authority figures with strength and sensitivity, especially in primaries.

‘Women are still under represented in senior management roles within schools. We need to attract teachers and promote tomorrow’s leaders from the widest possible pool, regardless of gender, so that children can benefit from the greatest talent and experience,’ continued Alan Meyrick.

The digest by the GTCE uses data from its teaching register to construct the report. However, this year’s digest, the ninth of its kind, is likely to be the final one, following the planned abolition of the GTCE in March 2012.