Maths teaching vacancies shortfall

New research suggests that the shortage of maths teachers in England and Wales will increase, which may interest those considering maths teaching vacancies.

Figures from the Education Data Surveys show that only 2,000 maths teachers are to be trained this year, with even fewer signed up for next year.

Currently, there are 1,650 maths teaching vacancies advertised with secondary schools, with more expected as the year progresses.

However, once those who drop off the training course or find employment in the private sector are taken into account, it is feared that there will not be enough teachers to fill the vacancies.

Professor John Howson, from Education Data Surveys, said: "Some schools will be short of properly qualified maths teachers.

"What is even more alarming is that recruitment to training courses for 2008 is falling behind the levels seen last year."

Education Data Surveys specialises in providing research and information about the education sector and maintains unique databases on the school labour market.