Sirs are scarce in primary schools

One in every five primary schools across Oldham have no male teachers.

There are 89 local authority primary schools across the borough, but according to figures released by the Department for Education there are 18 with only female teachers.

The problem is mirrored across the country despite attempts by the previous Government to increase numbers.

The number of male teachers has reached a five-year low leading to concerns about a lack of positive male role models.

The Training and Development Agency for Schools claims the number of men applying to be teachers has soared since the recession began.

Rising joblessness has made the prospect of working in primary schools more attractive and the number of men applying to train has increased by more than 50 per cent from 3,125 to 4,746.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: “We also want to take urgent action to attract more great teachers into the classroom.”

The department is writing off the student loan payments of science and maths graduates who go into teaching.