Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
12.2
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
19.6:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
4.9d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
19.6
12.2 FTE
2023/24
17.1
15.45 FTE
2022/23
13.9
19.1 FTE
2021/22
17.5
17.5 FTE
2020/21
17.9
19.4 FTE
2019/20
18.5
19 FTE
2018/19
20.2
17 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 | 15.5 | 11.8 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 23.9% | |
| 2022/23 | 19.1 | 12.9 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 32.5% | |
| 2021/22 | 17.5 | 16.3 | 1.2 | 0 | 6.9% | |
| 2020/21 | 19.4 | 18.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 6.2% | |
| 2019/20 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | |
| 2018/19 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | |
| 2017/18 | 17.2 | 15 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 12.8% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 70.6% | 4.9 |
| 2022/23 | 40.9% | 3.2 |
| 2021/22 | 18.2% | 0.5 |
| 2020/21 | 47.8% | 3.0 |
| 2018/19 | 57.9% | 7.2 |
| 2017/18 | 19.0% | 0.2 |
| 2016/17 | 31.8% | 0.7 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Lowther Primary School's rate of 4.9 days per teacher is above average.