More than one in every three primary schools in the county has no male teachers

MORE than one in every three primary schools in Leicestershire has no male teachers.

New analysis of school workforce figures has revealed that 54 primary schools in Leicestershire have an all-female teaching staff.

Excluding schools where the gender split of teachers is not available, that works out as 35% of all primaries in our area.

Experts say that the lack of male representation in the classroom is due to the perceived low status of primary school roles, and the lower pay that can go hand in hand with this.

They argue that having more male teachers gives children male role models and helps them achieve their full potential.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “Schools are essential services in the community, and they should reflect that community.

“Not everyone has what it takes to be a great primary teacher, but whether you can do it isn’t to do with whether you’re male or female.

“Unfortunately many men feel discouraged from entering teaching due to old-fashioned perceptions about jobs involving children.”

In total, there are only 2,338 male primary school teachers in Leicestershire, compared to 6,838 female teachers.

In Leicester, the proportion of primary schools without a male teacher stands at just 9%, but across the rest of the county 48% primary schools have no male teachers.

Of the primary schools that provided data, there are only two in Leicestershire that have at least as many male teaching staff as women.

They are Lady Jane Grey Primary School (62% male staff) and Cossington Church of England Primary School (58%).

James Bowen, director of policy for school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “It’s important for all children to experience positive male role models, and to understand that men can be interested in education, science or reading, just as much as in football.

“A diverse Early Years workforce can help children, especially those from deprived backgrounds, to visualise their futures and fulfil their educational potential.

“The lack of male teachers in early years is partly due to the perceived lack of status and importance this phase of education can have, and the subsequent lower pay early years roles can attract.

“This fails to recognise that Early Years education is one of the most vital moments in a child’s education, and the point at which attainment and life chances can be set.

“It is critical that Early Years specialist teachers and middle and senior leaders are valued and recognised by governing boards and senior leaders.

“We call on the DfE to recognise the importance of Early Years’ representation on school senior leadership teams and governing boards, as well as bringing a stronger focus on Early Years pedagogy to initial teacher training in order to protect, strengthen and improve the quality of Early Years provision in schools.”

Nationally, 3,184 primaries in England have no male teachers at all – 36% of all schools that provided data on the gender of their staff.

There are 129,493 male primary school teachers across the country, compared to 370,479 female teachers.

Northumberland saw the highest proportion of primary schools without any male teachers in the country (78%), followed by Cumbria (75%), North Yorkshire (74%), Central Bedfordshire (74%) and West Berkshire (72%).

Four areas didn’t have any schools with no male teachers – Bournemouth, Lambeth, Newham and Poole.

Just 80 primary schools across the country had at least as many male teachers as they did female teachers.