Record numbers of students are training as teachers in England, according to the Teacher Training Agency.

Ralph Tabberer, the agency's chief executive, said: "For an increasing number of people, teaching now represents a smart career choice, both as a supported career and one in which you 'use your head'."

David Miliband, school standards minister, said: "Rising staff numbers and rising quality are at the heart of an improving education system. The TTA's figures show that the measures we are taking to make teaching a more attractive career option are working.

"Teachers can also expect a better work / life balance now that the Workload Agreement is in place. Teachers no longer have to routinely do tasks such as photocopying and chasing up absentees. This will allow them to do what they do best - teach."

Phil Willis, education spokesman, said: "The government's inability to manage teacher supply is breathtaking.

"It is bizarre that at a time when LEAs are making 100s of teachers redundant, numbers of newly recruited primary teachers are up by eight per cent.

"While there is a surplus in primary teaching, secondary schools are left desperate for qualified staff.

"One in three children at secondary schools are not being taught by qualified maths teachers. With the government missing its own recruitment figures year after year, there is no sign of national maths levels improving any time soon."

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, told ePolitix.com: "ATL is pleased to see that more people are choosing to see teaching as a worthwhile career.

"Teachers plays a unique role in society. They contribute directly to the acquisition of skills and knowledge needed by the current generation of children and young people. The support and self- esteem that good teachers give to many of their student is something that is never forgotten.

"We are glad to see more ethnic minority students doing teacher training, as the profession should be seen to reflect the cross section of the community that we see in today's schools.

"More people have to be encouraged to train as secondary school teachers, as unfortunately, the problems associated with school indiscipline mostly involving teenagers, seems to be having a direct effect on those entering teacher training choosing to teach in the primary sector."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of the PAT, said: "This increase is good news. It seems that positive messages about teaching as a career are getting through.

"However, this is only the start and the TTA and the government cannot afford to be complacent.

"Teaching is a wonderful career and we need more teachers, so all the partners in education must continue to strive to convince more graduates of the benefits of a career in teaching."