Commenting on analysis from the Education Policy Institute (EPI)
on the growing pressures facing the teacher labour market in
England, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of
School and College Leaders, said:
“The EPI’s analysis shows the eye-watering scale of the challenge
in having enough teachers for the soaring number of pupils over
the next eight years. The government has repeatedly fallen short
of its own targets for recruiting trainee teachers and we are
then losing far too many teachers early in their careers. This
situation is caused by a toxic mix of high levels of workload –
driven largely by incessant reforms and a draconian
accountability system – and years of pay austerity which have
seen salaries fall in real terms.
“While the EPI is correct that the government should focus more
attention on retention, we do not agree with its suggestion that
ministers should consider targeting any additional funds on
salary supplements for teachers in shortage subjects. Firstly,
there are teacher shortages in many subjects. The government
missed its initial teacher training targets in all but two
secondary school subjects last year1. Secondly, the
suggestion also opens up the possibility of teachers with similar
workloads, who are equally committed to their pupils, earning
different rates of pay. This would be extremely damaging to the
morale of teachers disadvantaged by such a system, and
potentially result in retention rates deteriorating in more
poorly paid subjects.
“The solution to the teacher supply crisis does not lie in any
single policy proposal. Instead, we must have an overarching
strategy which includes easing teacher workload, improving career
progression, and better rewarding all teachers after many years
of pay austerity.”
1Initial teacher training:
trainee number census – 2017 to 2018. Department for
Education. Table 1c.
