Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
17.6
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
24.4:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
3.6d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
24.4
17.6 FTE
2023/24
20.1
20 FTE
2022/23
20.3
20.2 FTE
2021/22
21.8
20.2 FTE
2020/21
16.1
30.8 FTE
2019/20
19.2
28.6 FTE
2018/19
22.4
28.2 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 | 20.2 | 17 | 1 | 2.2 | 15.8% | |
| 2022/23 | 20.2 | 15.6 | 1.6 | 3 | 22.8% | |
| 2021/22 | 20.2 | 16.2 | 1 | 3 | 19.8% | |
| 2020/21 | 31 | 18.2 | 9.6 | 3.2 | 41.3% | |
| 2019/20 | 28.6 | 25.6 | 3 | 0 | 10.5% | |
| 2018/19 | 28.2 | 23.2 | 5 | 0 | 17.7% | |
| 2017/18 | 28.4 | 25.4 | 3 | 0 | 10.6% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 66.7% | 3.6 |
| 2022/23 | 61.1% | 2.4 |
| 2021/22 | 34.6% | 2.1 |
| 2020/21 | 34.3% | 6.3 |
| 2018/19 | 48.3% | 2.4 |
| 2017/18 | 56.3% | 5.8 |
| 2016/17 | 60.7% | 2.3 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Downsell Primary School's rate of 3.6 days per teacher is below average.