Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
25.99
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
24.5:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
5.4d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
24.5
25.99 FTE
2023/24
24.6
24.85 FTE
2022/23
23.3
24.6 FTE
2021/22
22.5
23.97 FTE
2020/21
22.1
22.6 FTE
2019/20
23.7
21 FTE
2018/19
24.5
18.2 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 | 24.9 | 23.9 | 1 | 0 | 4.0% | |
| 2022/23 | 24.6 | 22.6 | 1 | 1 | 8.1% | |
| 2021/22 | 24 | 21.6 | 2.4 | 0 | 10.0% | |
| 2020/21 | 22.6 | 21.6 | 1 | 0 | 4.4% | |
| 2019/20 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 4.8% | |
| 2018/19 | 18.2 | 17.8 | 0 | 0.4 | 2.2% | |
| 2017/18 | 20.6 | 18.6 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 9.7% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 85.2% | 5.4 |
| 2022/23 | 85.2% | 4.7 |
| 2021/22 | 77.8% | 6.2 |
| 2020/21 | 45.5% | 2.5 |
| 2018/19 | 69.6% | 2.5 |
| 2017/18 | 73.9% | 2.7 |
| 2016/17 | 73.1% | 3.6 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Smitham Primary School's rate of 5.4 days per teacher is above average.