ASCL comment on increase in teacher vacancies

Responding to new workforce data from the Department for Education showing that the number of teacher vacancies has increased by 20% over the last year, Pepe Di'Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“What these figures show, and what all school and colleges leaders know only too well, is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to fill teacher vacancies. Often this requires advertising roles several times and making use of supply staff in the intervening period, all of which has a financial cost attached.

“Although teacher vacancies have skyrocketed over the last three years, they are a consequence of the government's neglect of the education system over a much longer period. Implementing real-terms pay cuts for staff, while failing to adequately address longstanding concerns around funding, workload and accountability, has driven people away from teaching.

“Teachers are the education system's most precious resource and the next government cannot afford to be so complacent. We need a comprehensive plan to address the recruitment and retention crisis and ensure schools and colleges can attract and retain the teachers they need to maintain a high standard of education for all pupils.”