Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
7.25
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
24.8:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
0.7d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
24.8
7.25 FTE
2023/24
21.8
8.05 FTE
2022/23
20.6
6.95 FTE
2021/22
21.2
6.95 FTE
2020/21
20.4
7.3 FTE
2019/20
19.9
7.3 FTE
2018/19
18.6
8 FTE
National primary average: ~20.9. A higher ratio indicates fewer teachers per pupil.
Staff Retention — Historical View
| Year | Total FTE | Retained | Left Sector | Moved School | Turnover Rate | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 8.1 | 5.7 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 29.6% | |
| 2022/23 | 7 | 6.6 | 0.4 | 0 | 5.7% | |
| 2021/22 | 7 | 4.7 | 0 | 2.3 | 32.9% | |
| 2020/21 | 7.3 | 5.7 | 0 | 1.6 | 21.9% | |
| 2019/20 | 7.3 | 5.3 | 2 | 0 | 27.4% | |
| 2018/19 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 12.5% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 30.0% | 0.7 |
| 2022/23 | 77.8% | 12.4 |
| 2021/22 | 40.0% | 2.4 |
| 2020/21 | 12.5% | 1.1 |
| 2018/19 | 22.2% | 0.3 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Birches First School's rate of 0.7 days per teacher is below average.