During the past academic year, 3,743 men enrolled into initial teacher training, compared to 15,750 women. This compares to 2,467 men and 14,284 women trainees in 2008/09.
In 2011, data from the trainee numbers census for 2011/12 shows that 19 per cent of trainees were men, up from 15 per cent in 2008/09.
The number of men going into primary teaching is growing at five times the rate of women, according to the TA.
The TA is launching two new schemes to encourage more men into primary teaching.
The Primary Experience programme will be open to male graduates who register their interest in primary teaching and meet the eligibility criteria for teacher training.
Up to 1,000 places in schools across the country will give men ten days’ work experience in a school before they start training.
Male graduates who are interested in teaching will also be put in contact with ‘inspirational’ male primary teachers, to help them gain an insight into the career and day-to-day life in the classroom.
Lin Hinnigan, interim chief executive of the Teaching Agency said, ‘Primary teaching is increasingly a career for the most able graduates. It offers the opportunity to earn a good salary and progress quickly.
‘Our aim in joining forces with talented male teachers from primary schools across England is to show the reality of life in a classroom and why there’s never been a better time to join the profession.’
The Teaching Agency also emphasised that teachers are twice as likely as other graduates to progress to management jobs after three-and-a-half years, than other graduates.
Darren McCann, who was promoted to deputy head of St Ambrose Barlow primary school after teaching for seven years, said, ‘I’d always done well at school and initially thought I’d want to be a doctor or a lawyer. This all changed after I visited a school for work experience. A career in teaching shot to the top of my list. It was my ambition that directed me to primary teaching specifically – there are great opportunities for progression – and I’ve reaped the benefits of that decision.’