Tax-Free Bursaries Offered To Graduates To Train As Teachers

A tax free bursary is to be offered to top graduates to train and teach key subjects such as maths and physics.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said the government wants every child to study the academic qualifications at GCSE that will help them succeed in life - whether it is securing a place at university, an apprenticeship or their first job.

Pupils who started secondary school last month will all have the opportunity to study the key English Baccalaureate (EBAcc) subjects of English, maths, science, history or geography, and a language at GCSE.

To help attract the best and brightest graduates with the potential to be exceptional teachers in the core Ebacc subjects, the government has today published details of the increased tax-free bursaries and prestigious scholarships available for the academic year 2016 to 2017.

These include:

• £30,000 tax free for graduates with a first class degree who are training to teach physics, an increase from £25,000 in 2015 to 2016 - trainees in physics with a 2:1 will continue to receive a £25,000 bursary, and trainees with a 2:2 will also now receive £25,000, up from £15,000 last year

• increased bursaries of up to £25,000 in other  subjects including maths, biology, chemistry, computing, languages and geography

• continuing the increased funding available to schools offeringSchool Direct (salaried) places in maths and physics to boost starting salaries in these subjects - trainees can earn over £21,000 nationally and £25,00 in inner London

• a further 700 prestigious tax-free scholarships worth up to £30,000 for physics and £25,000 for maths, chemistry and computing trainees, delivered in partnership with the professional bodies for these subjects

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "As part of the government's commitment to real social justice, we want every child to study the core academic subjects that will provide the best preparation for later life.

"Teaching now attracts more top graduates than ever before. To ensure we can continue to attract the best and brightest graduates into the profession, with the potential to be excellent teachers in these key subjects, we are continuing to offer a wide range of bursaries and scholarships.

"These new financial incentives will give more talented people the opportunity to become teachers so they can inspire even more young people to achieve their full potential."

(MH/CD)