Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
15.7
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
27.4:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
10.9d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
27.4
15.7 FTE
2023/24
26.6
16.2 FTE
2022/23
24.8
15.9 FTE
2021/22
18.4
17.9 FTE
2020/21
19.3
17.35 FTE
2019/20
22.4
17.1 FTE
2018/19
28.2
13.6 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 | 16.2 | 15.6 | 0.6 | 0 | 3.7% | |
| 2022/23 | 15.9 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 37.7% | |
| 2021/22 | 17.9 | 13.1 | 3 | 1.8 | 26.8% | |
| 2020/21 | 17.4 | 13.4 | 3 | 1 | 23.0% | |
| 2019/20 | 17.1 | 13.5 | 3.6 | 0 | 21.1% | |
| 2018/19 | 13.6 | 13.6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | |
| 2017/18 | 12.9 | 12.2 | 0 | 0.7 | 5.4% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 70.6% | 10.9 |
| 2022/23 | 89.5% | 17.6 |
| 2021/22 | 75.0% | 11.4 |
| 2020/21 | 55.6% | 9.6 |
| 2018/19 | 86.7% | 8.5 |
| 2017/18 | 78.6% | 6.2 |
| 2016/17 | 73.3% | 3.3 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Whitley Abbey Primary School's rate of 10.9 days per teacher is above average.