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last mo.

MPs Criticize DfE for Lacking Plan on 6,500-Teacher Pledge as Staff Numbers Decline

Ministers have not set baselines or milestones to show how private school VAT will fund Labour’s promise to recruit 6,500 new teachers.

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Many schools have difficulty keeping their experienced teachers, a report by MPs said
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Overview

  • Latest school workforce census shows full-time teacher numbers in London fell by 636 to 74,443 and England’s total dropped by 400 to 468,300 over the past year
  • A Public Accounts Committee report warns the Department for Education has no coherent recruitment plan, clear targets or explanation for how the 6,500-teacher figure was calculated
  • MPs estimate colleges alone will need 12,400 additional teachers by 2028-29 and flag higher vacancy rates in deprived areas and specialist subjects such as computing
  • Excessive workload and worsening pupil behaviour are cited as the top reasons for teacher departures, with those leaving due to behaviour rising from 32% to 44% year-on-year
  • Teaching unions urge a comprehensive workforce strategy that includes better pay, flexible working, reduced workload and stronger support for behaviour management