Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
64.83
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
16.9:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
5.3d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
16.9
64.83 FTE
2023/24
17.2
61.86 FTE
2022/23
18.0
57.3 FTE
2021/22
20.2
48.9 FTE
2020/21
16.4
56.52 FTE
2019/20
18.7
48.42 FTE
2018/19
18.1
45.51 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 | 61.9 | 51.9 | 4 | 6 | 16.2% | |
| 2022/23 | 57.3 | 51.1 | 5.2 | 1 | 10.8% | |
| 2021/22 | 48.9 | 44.3 | 3.6 | 1 | 9.4% | |
| 2020/21 | 56.5 | 48.1 | 5.4 | 3 | 14.9% | |
| 2019/20 | 48.4 | 41.4 | 3 | 4 | 14.5% | |
| 2018/19 | 45.5 | 42.2 | 3.3 | 0 | 7.3% | |
| 2017/18 | 44.8 | 34.6 | 2.2 | 8 | 22.8% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 67.1% | 5.3 |
| 2022/23 | 70.8% | 6.5 |
| 2021/22 | 59.0% | 5.1 |
| 2020/21 | 63.2% | 3.7 |
| 2018/19 | 59.2% | 3.1 |
| 2017/18 | 69.0% | 4.8 |
| 2016/17 | 55.4% | 2.3 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Upper Shirley High School's rate of 5.3 days per teacher is above average.