Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
71.1
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
16.9:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
4.7d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
16.9
71.1 FTE
2023/24
17.3
69.16 FTE
2022/23
17.9
67.62 FTE
2021/22
17.6
67.34 FTE
2020/21
18.3
64.3 FTE
2019/20
18.7
60.44 FTE
2018/19
18.1
62.65 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 | 69.2 | 66.3 | 2.9 | 0 | 4.2% | |
| 2022/23 | 67.6 | 57.8 | 4.8 | 5 | 14.5% | |
| 2021/22 | 67.3 | 63.3 | 3.1 | 1 | 6.1% | |
| 2020/21 | 64.3 | 60.3 | 2 | 2 | 6.2% | |
| 2019/20 | 60.4 | 55.4 | 3 | 2 | 8.3% | |
| 2018/19 | 62.9 | 52 | 9.9 | 1 | 17.3% | |
| 2017/18 | 62.2 | 56.7 | 1.7 | 3.8 | 8.8% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 59.8% | 4.7 |
| 2022/23 | 58.8% | 5.0 |
| 2021/22 | 82.3% | 6.0 |
| 2020/21 | 41.8% | 3.1 |
| 2018/19 | 58.1% | 3.3 |
| 2017/18 | 54.8% | 2.1 |
| 2016/17 | 50.7% | 2.1 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Birkenhead High School Academy's rate of 4.7 days per teacher is above average.