• The Government is boosting bursaries and scholarships for teachers in science, maths, and other priority subjects, with trainee teachers receiving bursaries of as much as £27,000, building on the Levelling-Up Premium worth up to £3,000 for teachers moving to disadvantaged schools.
  • Schools in Eddisbury will benefit from a talent pool of teachers recruited and retained with extra funding for bursaries to attract the best possible teachers for high priority subjects.
  • The package of extra funding is worth £181 million in total—£52 million extra on the total available this year.

Eddisbury MP, Edward Timpson CBE KC, has welcomed the boost in tax-free bursaries and scholarships for trainee teachers in high priority subjects from next year.

The Conservative Government is investing in aspiring teachers beginning their training in September 2023: attracting and retaining the best talent in high priority areas, including science, technology and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Top graduates applying to become teachers will be eligible for bursaries worth up to £27,000, and scholarships worth £29,000 for high priority STEM subjects. £25,000 bursaries and £27,000 scholarships will be offered to trainee language teachers—up from £10,000 this academic year.

Geography teachers will be eligible for bursaries of £25,000—an increase of £10,000—while biology and design and technology teachers will be eligible for £20,000: increases of £10,000 and £5,000 on this year respectively. Trainee English teachers will be able to receive up to £15,000 tax free.

The package is worth £181 million in total—£52 million extra on the total available this year. The extra funding will make sure there are excellent teachers across the country giving students in schools the best possible start in life for years to come.

The boost in funding to attract trainee teachers comes on top of support announced to attract and retain the best teaching talent for schools. Overseas teachers coming to England to teach in high demand subjects are now eligible for a new relocation premium to help cover visas costs and relocation expenses.

Teachers in the first five years of their career teaching mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing in disadvantaged schools are already able to claim the Levelling-Up Premium, worth up to £3,000 tax free.

Edward Timpson CBE KC, Member of Parliament for Eddisbury, said:

“As Conservatives, we are determined to give people the best possible education and the skills needed to unleash their potential.

“That is why I welcome the extra investment from this Conservative Government for teacher bursaries. They will attract and retain teachers in high priority subject areas, building on the Levelling-Up Premiums that are attracting teachers to schools in disadvantaged areas.

“This will help to develop our skills pipeline and drive our economy, increasing the life chances of young people across the country.”

Schools Minister, Jonathan Gullis MP, added:

“As a former teacher, I know that investing in our teachers is investing in young people. These generous bursaries and scholarships will attract the brightest and the best into teaching.

“Shoring up the talent pipeline to teach vital subject areas such as STEM and languages will, in turn, equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to secure a bright future, and ensure that our economy remains globally competitive.”