Graduates 'not deterred from teaching due to student debt'

There is "no evidence" that student debt is deterring graduates from entering the teaching profession, said an expert.

A spokesperson for the Training and Development Agency for Schools said that despite students being hit with more money worries than ever before, those who want to be a teacher should not have any trouble funding their studies.

"There are a range of financial incentives, including bursaries and golden hellos, for trainees on the PGCE route," he noted.

Graduates considering entering the teaching profession may be reassured by the fact that there are a number of positions available.

This is due to a decrease in the number of applicants for teacher training courses for the coming academic year, which the Education Data Survey predicts will mean the government will struggle to meet its new reduced targets for filling positions in schools.

Subjects most in need of newly trained teachers include maths, English, physics, ICT and geography, according to the February figures.