NFER statement on the publication of the DfE’s ITT Census data

Thursday 7 December 2023

Commenting on the publication of the DfE’s ITT Census data, Jack Worth, School Workforce Lead at the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), said:

"Today’s dire teacher training recruitment data confirms that teacher supply is a critical issue facing England’s education system. The shortfalls being so universal – 15 out of 18 secondary subjects missing their targets and not just in the usual shortage subjects – should be of enormous concern to policymakers.

"The Government needs to take urgent and radical action to improve the attractiveness of teaching as a profession to enter and remain, by enhancing bursaries and other financial incentives, reducing workload and improving the competitiveness of teachers’ pay. Without such action, the quality of pupils' education - particularly in disadvantaged areas - will be increasingly affected by these shortages.”