Written question asked by Robert Key (Conservative) on Friday, 26 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 December 2004. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Thursday, 9 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the impact on the future supply of school science teachers of the closure of the chemistry department at Exeter University; and if he will make a statement. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact on the future supply of school science teachers of the closure of the chemistry department at Exeter University; and if he will make a statement. [200633] Dr. Howells: We regularly monitor the supply of teachers, including in science, through the Teacher Training Agency and shall continue to do so. Monitoring the impact of the closure of university science courses would be part of that process. Between January 2001 and January 2004, the number of science teacher vacancies in secondary schools fell by 40 per cent. The Government also continue to pay £4,000 Golden Hellos to eligible science teachers entering the profession. This will rise to £5,000 for those entering teacher training from September 2005.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 200633; 428 c777-8W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Closures Chemistry Higher education Teachers Science University of Exeter
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk