One in five maths graduates are turning to teaching

Statistics from the Teaching Agency (TA) and Higher Education Statistical Unit (HESU) reveal that 18.5% of maths graduates are turning to teaching within 3 and a half years of graduating.

The statistics also show that 51% of these maths graduates have a 2.1 degree or higher, a proportion which has risen from 44% in 2009.

Lin Hinnigan, the Teaching Agency’s chief executive, said of these findings; “the fact that we are attracting more, high quality maths specialists into the classroom is excellent news and will help to raise attainment in maths in our schools.”

“There are a few places remaining to start teacher training in maths this September, with tax-free bursaries of up to £20,000 available. People interested in teaching should apply to train now and take advantage of great employment prospects, career progression opportunities and a competitive starting salary.”

There are certainly brilliant avenues for career progression within the teaching profession. This is especially true considering that teachers are twice as likely to be promoted to a management position early in their careers as fellow graduates in other jobs.

Having such a high proportion of the most able maths graduates turning to teaching will have a beneficial effect on performance in maths at schools.

Furthermore, the hope is that these findings are indicative of a wider trend whereby the most able graduates from a range of disciplines are turning to teaching, and are not merely isolated to maths graduates.