The number of post-graduate men applying to teach in primary schools increased by about a third on the same time last year, according to the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR).

The government has been campaigning to attract more men into primary schools, where women far out-number men.

In England's primary schools, only 16% of staff are men.

Figures from the GTTR show that by late January this year, 2,798 men had applied to enter primary teacher training this year compared to 2,062 in 2002.

That is out of a total of 16,117 postgraduate applicants.

Encouraging

The Teacher Training Agency, which is government-funded, has been trying to promote primary school teaching to men.

It wants to increase male recruitment by 20% each year.

The agency's Mary Doherty said the figures were very encouraging.

"We have targeted men to apply for primary teacher training, pointing out the pay benefits, opportunities for career progression and the chance for men to use their knowledge and talents in helping young people pursue their learning," she said.

As well as promoting the benefits of a career as a teacher, the agency has also been telling men to apply for courses earlier, as officials believe men are more likely to apply at the last minute, when courses might already be full.

The government fears that boys are being disadvantaged by the lack of male role models in the classroom.