Responding to a new report on the teacher workforce in secondary and further education from the National Audit Office (NAO), NFER School Workforce Lead, Jack Worth, said:
“This report sends a clear message to Government that it will miss its 6,500 teacher recruitment pledge if it does not take action now.
“Unfilled vacancy levels are at their highest rates since records began in 2010, with pay, stress from dealing with pupil behaviour and workload pressures reported to be contributing to teachers leaving the profession.
“Properly funded pay rises are urgently needed alongside and non-financial measures, such as workload reduction and flexible working, to improve both recruitment and retention.”