A CALL for more primary school teachers has been issues across the North-East to meet a predicted 336,000 increase in children over the next eight years.

Officials from the initial teacher training (ITT) programme at Carmel College, in Darlington, are urging anyone who has thought about teaching to get in touch before the Department of Education closes applications imminently.

Graduates, or people looking to make a career change, are needed in the Newcastle, Gateshead and Durham areas in particular.

The programme currently places 129 trainees in schools in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland and Darlington.

The Carmel Teacher Training Partnership, which involves primary and secondary schools from across the region, organised Thinking About Teaching events, which were staged in Darlington, Middlesbrough and Newcastle, attracting scores of interested people.

Carmel College ITT lead Sara Crawshaw said: “A baby boom means we will have an estimated 336,000 extra children come through our schools by 2024 but last year the North-East region saw a five per cent fall in the number of people wanting to train as teachers.

“A national recruitment pilot also means this year that applications may close earlier than normal so we are having a big push now to ensure we have as many high quality candidates as possible to serve a growing need.”

Mrs Crawshaw also urged men to apply for primary positions, a role often associated with women.

She added: “Primary school teaching is an exciting and dynamic environment in which to work.

“Male teachers have so much impact in socio-economically deprived areas, where they can often serve as excellent role models.

“Teachers often talk about joining the profession to make a difference and in the primary setting they can help shape young people’s lives, helping them, their parents and the community at academic, social and cultural levels.”

For trainee Liam Kelly, who is currently on a training placement at Holy Family Primary School, Darlington, the opportunity is another chance to make a difference to people’s lives.

The former Carmel College student said: “I had joined the police and was working in Glasgow where it was so difficult to make a difference.

"In teaching, particularly in primary schools, I think as a male role model there is a much greater chance of helping young people achieve their best.”

For more information, call Mrs Crawshaw on 01325-254525 or scrawshaw@carmel.org.uk or visit carmelteachertraining.org.uk