New analysis from the Education Policy
Institute (EPI) highlights the continued surge in teaching
applications in England, prompted by the oncoming
coronavirus-induced recession.
Recruitment targets for teachers have been
missed by the government for several years, contributing towards
acute shortages in some parts of the
profession.
However, the latest Department for Education
data on initial teacher training (ITT) show that these trends are
set to be reversed.
The new analysis from EPI also examines the
latest trends in teacher diversity, finding that for the first
time, the proportion of ethnic minority teachers in English
secondary schools is now representative of the population as a
whole. However, gender diversity has failed to
improve.
Boost to teacher numbers:
findings
-
Last year, the shortfall in teacher
recruitment numbers in England stood at 3,000, after having
risen for a number of years.
-
However, since the start of the lockdown
21,410 graduates have applied to teacher training programmes,
representing a rise of 8,400 (65%) from the five-year
average.
-
If these trends continue throughout the year,
it is set to result in an extra 11,000 applications, which
would close the teacher recruitment gap entirely for the first
time since 2012.
-
Typically, around two-thirds (65%) of these
applicants then go on to enter the profession, meaning the
shortfall of 3,000 teachers would easily be
met.
-
However, Covid-19 has also reduced teacher
turnover. This has led to problems for many training providers,
who have been unable to find teaching placements for their
applicants. If this is not urgently rectified, the government
may fail to capitalise on the surge of new
teachers.
Why have teacher applications been
rising?
-
Evidence suggests that the rise in ITT
applications has been driven by the impending economic
downturn, with many graduates who would have otherwise pursued
different careers likely attracted to the job security and
stable wages that teaching brings.
-
Teacher starting salaries are also set to
increase significantly to £30,000 by 2022, a rise of
24%.
Trends in teacher diversity:
findings
-
The latest data shows that the ethnic
diversity of all teachers in England has improved. In secondary
schools, 16.2% of all teachers are now from ethnic minority
backgrounds, up from 13.1% in 2010. This is now in line with
the overall population (16%) for the first
time.
-
In primary schools 10.6% of all teachers are
now from ethnic minority backgrounds, up from 8.5% in
2010.
-
However, gender diversity has not improved.
35.5% of secondary teachers are male, down from 37.7% in 2010.
Just 14.1% of teachers in primary schools are male (up from
12.7% in 2010 but unchanged since 2016).
-
There is a risk that diversity could be
reduced following an economic turndown. The 2008 financial
crisis drew predominately female and white graduates into the
profession, resulting in a decline in the diversity of new
teachers.
The new analysis from EPI has been published
today – it can be accessed here.
Commenting on the analysis, Joshua
Fullard, author and Senior Researcher at the Education Policy
Institute (EPI), said:
“The pandemic has caused unparalleled
disruption to every area of education. However, there appears to
be a silver-lining in the form of a big boost to the teaching
profession in England. These trends are welcome given the
government has fallen short of its recruitment targets for a
number of years.”
“For the first time, we are also seeing that
the proportion of secondary school teachers from ethnic minority
backgrounds matches the population as a whole. This is a positive
development, but these trends could be affected by the oncoming
recession. The previous financial crisis resulted in a decrease
in the diversity of the teaching profession, and there are early
indications that this is transpiring again.”
