More women switch careers to teach chemistry

Chemistry applications to teacher training increased by 11 per cent in the last year, the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) said.

Over the past seven years, there have been more women than men inquiring about teaching the subject, a TDA spokeswoman revealed.

The gap between the sexes is growing, with inquiries from women now 14 per cent higher than those from men (57 per cent and 43 per cent respectively) compared to an 8 per cent difference the year before, she said.

The quality of chemistry candidates has also improved over the last decade, with more graduates with top degrees choosing to teach the subject. Since 2002/3, the percentage of new chemistry teachers with a 1st or 2:1 has increased by 8 per cent. Last year more than half (55 per cent) of new chemistry teachers had a first or 2:1, compared with 47 per cent in 2002/3.

“Over a third of the inquiries TDA had regarding teaching chemistry came from professionals considering a career switch from industries like finance, or banking,” she said.

“This suggests that many people are turning back to thinking how they can engage again in a subject for which they have a passion.”

Anyone interested in becoming a teacher has been urged to visit www.teach.gov.uk/traintoteach to find out more.