Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
10.03
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
23.0:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
4.2d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
23.0
10.03 FTE
2023/24
20.5
12.16 FTE
2022/23
21.9
11.66 FTE
2021/22
21.8
11.66 FTE
2020/21
22.7
11.27 FTE
2019/20
23.1
11.13 FTE
2018/19
23.4
11.13 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 | 12.2 | 7 | 1.6 | 3.6 | 42.6% | |
| 2022/23 | 11.7 | 9.5 | 1.2 | 1 | 18.8% | |
| 2021/22 | 11.9 | 10.1 | 0 | 1.8 | 15.1% | |
| 2020/21 | 11.3 | 10.3 | 0 | 1 | 8.8% | |
| 2019/20 | 11.1 | 10.3 | 0 | 0.8 | 7.2% | |
| 2018/19 | 11.1 | 10.1 | 1 | 0 | 9.0% | |
| 2017/18 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 1 | 1 | 17.4% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 76.9% | 4.2 |
| 2022/23 | 71.4% | 3.4 |
| 2021/22 | 62.5% | 4.5 |
| 2020/21 | 46.2% | 1.3 |
| 2018/19 | 50.0% | 3.3 |
| 2017/18 | 41.2% | 8.0 |
| 2016/17 | 47.1% | 8.1 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Merdon Junior School's rate of 4.2 days per teacher is below average.