Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
27.2
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
23.9:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
4.6d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
23.9
27.2 FTE
2023/24
22.5
27.8 FTE
2022/23
18.2
35.47 FTE
2021/22
20.0
35 FTE
2020/21
21.7
30.2 FTE
2019/20
26.4
25.71 FTE
2018/19
21.4
30.31 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 | 27.2 | 12.4 | 3.8 | 11 | 54.4% | |
| 2022/23 | 35.8 | 16.4 | 6.4 | 13 | 54.2% | |
| 2021/22 | 35 | 24.2 | 4.8 | 6 | 30.9% | |
| 2020/21 | 30.2 | 25.2 | 3 | 2 | 16.6% | |
| 2019/20 | 25.9 | 20.4 | 2 | 3.5 | 21.2% | |
| 2018/19 | 30.7 | 17.7 | 4 | 9 | 42.3% | |
| 2017/18 | 26.6 | 16 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 39.8% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 66.7% | 4.6 |
| 2022/23 | 55.6% | 2.0 |
| 2021/22 | 72.7% | 6.7 |
| 2020/21 | 44.4% | 1.4 |
| 2018/19 | 50.0% | 3.3 |
| 2017/18 | 43.3% | 5.6 |
| 2016/17 | 38.5% | 0.8 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Bitterne Park Primary & Nursery School - Part of the Learning Federation Partnership of Schools's rate of 4.6 days per teacher is above average.