GCSEs chosen according to popularity of teacher

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun. 27, 2011 - The Woolworths.co.uk Teachers Inspire study, which was commissioned by the family superstore to mark the first ever UK Teacher’s Day*, reveals that maths teachers are the UK’s favourite while Geography, Art and Language teachers rank bottom.

The results were uncannily close to the most popular GCSE subjects chosen last year** suggesting that children are dropping subjects based on whether or not they like a teacher, rather than whether or not it may help them in future.

Although Maths, Science and English are core subjects in UK schools, Geography accounted for a modest four per cent of GCSEs taken in 2010 correlating with an equally modest 4 per cent on the subject teacher’s popularity.   Also, Art accounted for 3.5 per cent of GCSEs taken in 2010 correlating with a lowly four per cent for the subject teacher’s popularity.

Language teachers picked up a mere one per cent of the popularity vote and unsurprisingly didn’t rank on the top 10 GCSE subjects board at all.

Dan Rubel, brand director of Woolworths.co.uk said “As one of the UK’s leading back to school brand’s we felt it was essential to highlight the good work that teachers do. Today’s teaching staff are an important part of a child’s everyday life, and as the results of our Teachers Inspire study show it is clear how important it is for a child to feel supported and to get on well with their teacher.”

UK's favourite teacher
(based on the subject they teach)   %
Maths                                            22%
Class / form tutor                      16%
English                                            13%
Science                                            13%
PE                                            10%
History                                              7%
Drama                                                    5%
Music                                               5%
Geography                                               4%
Art                                              4%
Languages                                              1%

UK's most popular GCSE
subjects picked in 2010   %
Mathematics                       15%
English                                            10%
English Literature                       10%
Science                                              8%
Additional Science                        7%
Design & Technology                        5%
History                                             4%
Geography                                             4%
Religious Studies                       4%
Art                                             4%


Further information

For further information about Woolworths.co.uk, please contact Katie Hancock or Victoria Imrie at The Brooklyn Brothers PR on 0207 734 3007 or email Katiehancock@thebrooklynbrotherspr.com / Woolworths@thebrooklynbrotherpr.com

*Woolworths.co.uk will mark the UK’s first ever Teacher’s Day on 21st July 2011
**As reported by The Guardian