Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
90.59
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
16.9:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
8.6d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
16.9
90.59 FTE
2023/24
17.7
85.03 FTE
2022/23
18.6
83.13 FTE
2021/22
18.4
82.68 FTE
2020/21
17.7
81.97 FTE
2019/20
19.1
73.77 FTE
2018/19
19.0
74.22 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 | 85.6 | 76.6 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 10.5% | |
| 2022/23 | 83.3 | 73.5 | 5.2 | 4.6 | 11.8% | |
| 2021/22 | 82.9 | 72.5 | 6.4 | 4 | 12.5% | |
| 2020/21 | 82.2 | 72.9 | 8.3 | 1 | 11.3% | |
| 2019/20 | 74 | 70.4 | 2.6 | 1 | 4.9% | |
| 2018/19 | 73.4 | 60.4 | 6 | 7 | 17.7% | |
| 2017/18 | 79.4 | 59.4 | 10.4 | 9.6 | 25.2% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 80.6% | 8.6 |
| 2022/23 | 83.2% | 9.9 |
| 2021/22 | 84.2% | 9.7 |
| 2020/21 | 75.8% | 8.9 |
| 2018/19 | 75.0% | 6.3 |
| 2017/18 | 65.7% | 3.8 |
| 2016/17 | 66.0% | 4.4 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Varndean School's rate of 8.6 days per teacher is above average.