More male teachers may help boys

The agency wants a 20% rise in the number entering training next year.

Educationalists believe boys would perform better if there were more male teachers in primary schools to act as role models.

But the TTA says women take more care over applications and appear better prepared at interview.

In January 2003, there were 137,971 full-time and 45,815 part-time female primary teachers but only 26,399 full-time and 6,350 part-time of their male counterparts, according to the education department.

TTA teaching supply and recruitment director Mary Doherty said although many men "are using their heads every day, teaching primary school pupils", those who had not yet applied might not know what they were missing.

The TTA said graduates had until 15 December to apply to their first choice training providers for courses starting in September 2004,

Newly qualified state school teachers can expect to start on salaries ranging from �18,105 to �26,460 - or �21,522 to �30,000 in inner London.