Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
23.4
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
5.4:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
4.9d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
5.4
23.4 FTE
2023/24
5.1
22.4 FTE
2022/23
6.0
22.4 FTE
2021/22
6.2
20.2 FTE
2020/21
6.5
16 FTE
2019/20
7.7
14 FTE
2018/19
8.7
15 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 | 22.4 | 17.4 | 3 | 2 | 22.3% | |
| 2022/23 | 22.4 | 18.8 | 3.6 | 0 | 16.1% | |
| 2021/22 | 20.2 | 18.4 | 0.8 | 1 | 8.9% | |
| 2020/21 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 6.2% | |
| 2019/20 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | |
| 2018/19 | 15 | 11.8 | 2.2 | 1 | 21.3% | |
| 2017/18 | 13.6 | 11.8 | 1.8 | 0 | 13.2% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 87.5% | 4.9 |
| 2022/23 | 87.0% | 6.7 |
| 2021/22 | 83.3% | 9.2 |
| 2020/21 | 71.4% | 2.4 |
| 2018/19 | 83.3% | 4.9 |
| 2017/18 | 78.9% | 4.4 |
| 2016/17 | 78.3% | 7.1 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. The Orchard School's rate of 4.9 days per teacher is above average.