Initial Teacher Trainee Number Census

Initial Teacher Trainee Number Census

What is the ITT Trainee Numbers Census, and why is it required?

The ITT Trainee numbers census is, as the name indicates, a student numbers return, which is made on an annual basis to the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). The census requires actual student numbers to be returned in the following categories:

  • Level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate
  • Mode: Full-time, Sandwich and Part-time
  • Phase: Primary/Secondary/Flexible
  • Year: Identifying the year of study within the total year of programme (i.e. yr 1 of 4)
  • Commencement Date: Month within the academic year
  • Subject: Various

    • Additional information is also required on numbers of students: with disabilities; of an ethnic background; and the number of male students within each entry.

    The Initial Teacher Trainee numbers census is a statutory return that is made by all Teacher Training providers to the Training and Development Agency. The return confirms, or otherwise, that the institution has achieved the student numbers that it is contracted to achieve within a given academic year. The information contained in the return (in addition to successful additional numbers bids) is also used in determining the providers contracted student numbers for the forthcoming academic year.

    What are the census and submission dates for the ITT Trainee Numbers Census?

    The census date for the ITT trainee numbers census is normally the first week in October and the submission date is one week after the census date.

    What are the implications of student numbers in the ITT trainee numbers census not agreeing with those that an institution is contracted to achieve?

    If an institution does not achieve its contracted student numbers there is likely to be “claw-back”, where money allocated to the institution is claimed back by the TDA. If an institution exceeds its contracted student numbers, their student numbers allocation for the forthcoming year may well be reduced to ensure that they remain within the same overall contracted student numbers. Additional student registrations will not necessarily result in additional income.

    How do/can the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) ensure that the information contained in the trainee numbers census is correct?

    There is a rolling programme of audits carried out by the TDA. The frequency of these audits is determined by a number of factors. One important factor is the consistency with which the student data, returned to the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA), agrees with the student numbers/FTE held in the ITT trainee numbers census. If, for example, the number of students in the HESA return is much lower than those returned in the ITT trainee numbers census, it is likely that an audit will follow.