Workforce & Staffing
Staff composition, teacher turnover, retention, and sickness absence
Key Figures
22.1
Qualified Teachers (FTE)
19.8:1
Pupil:Teacher Ratio
4.5d
Teacher Absence (avg/teacher)
Pupil:Teacher Ratio — History
2024/25
19.8
22.1 FTE
2023/24
18.1
25.8 FTE
2022/23
18.0
25.8 FTE
2021/22
16.9
25.2 FTE
2020/21
15.5
26.3 FTE
2019/20
16.0
26.5 FTE
2018/19
16.5
26.1 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 | 25.8 | 16.6 | 8.2 | 1 | 35.7% | |
| 2022/23 | 25.8 | 22.8 | 3 | 0 | 11.6% | |
| 2021/22 | 25.2 | 20.8 | 2.4 | 2 | 17.5% | |
| 2020/21 | 26.3 | 21.9 | 4.4 | 0 | 16.7% | |
| 2019/20 | 26.5 | 22.9 | 3.6 | 0 | 13.6% | |
| 2018/19 | 26.1 | 23.1 | 3 | 0 | 11.5% | |
| 2017/18 | 27.7 | 22.1 | 4.6 | 1 | 20.2% |
Teacher Sickness Absence
Staff Wellbeing — Sickness Data
Teacher absence due to illness
| Year | % Taking Absence | Avg Days (all teachers) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.0% | 4.5 |
| 2022/23 | 75.0% | 6.5 |
| 2021/22 | 54.8% | 1.6 |
| 2020/21 | 37.9% | 2.6 |
| 2018/19 | 62.5% | 2.6 |
| 2017/18 | 55.6% | 3.7 |
| 2016/17 | 47.1% | 2.4 |
National avg days lost per teacher: ~4.5. Richard Cobden Primary School's rate of 4.5 days per teacher is above average.