Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
21.02
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
15.9:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
2.8d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
15.9
21.02 FTE
2023/24
15.9
20.8 FTE
2022/23
16.3
20.4 FTE
2021/22
17.8
18.36 FTE
2020/21
17.8
19.61 FTE
2019/20
19.3
19.33 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 | 21.5 | 19.6 | 0 | 1.9 | 8.8% | |
| 2022/23 | 19.9 | 16.9 | 2 | 1 | 15.1% | |
| 2021/22 | 17.4 | 14 | 1.4 | 2 | 19.5% | |
| 2020/21 | 19.7 | 15.7 | 4 | 0 | 20.3% | |
| 2019/20 | 19.3 | 17.8 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 7.8% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.5% | 2.8 |
| 2022/23 | 60.9% | 2.4 |
| 2021/22 | 76.0% | 7.9 |
| 2020/21 | 45.8% | 1.6 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. The Downs Church of England Primary School's rate of 2.8 days per teacher is below average.