Male primary teacher numbers rising

The number of male trainee primary school teachers in England has increased by more than 50% in the last four years, according to figures.

Data from the Teaching Agency (TA), which is responsible for initial teacher training, showed the amount of men undertaking a career in primary teaching has grown at five times the rate of women.

Lin Hinnigan, interim chief executive of the TA, said: "Primary teaching is increasingly a career for the most able graduates. It offers the opportunity to earn a good salary and progress quickly."

According to the TA, teachers are twice as likely to be in management positions after three and a half years than graduates in comparable professions.

The organisation is offering male graduates the chance to contact male teachers to find out more about the role.

Ms Hinnigan added: "Our aim in joining forces with talented male teachers from primary schools across England is to show the reality of life in a classroom and why there's never been a better time to join the profession."

Darren McCann, who was promoted to deputy head of a primary school in Astley, Greater Manchester, after teaching for seven years, said: "I'd always done well at school and initially thought I'd want to be a doctor or a lawyer.

"This all changed after I visited a school for work experience. A career in teaching shot to the top of my list.

"It was my ambition that directed me to primary teaching specifically - there are great opportunities for progression - and I've reaped the benefits of that decision."