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

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.”