Teacher Shortages in England Reach Record High, Threatening Education Quality

Unfilled teaching posts have doubled since the pandemic, with recruitment and retention challenges jeopardizing government hiring targets.

Teacher vacancy rates in England have risen to six per 1,000 teachers in 2023/24, the highest level since records began, doubling pre-pandemic rates.
The government risks missing its manifesto pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers by the end of this Parliament, according to education unions and research groups.
Factors driving the crisis include stagnant pay, inflexible working conditions, and worsening pupil behavior, which have increased teacher workloads and attrition rates.
Class sizes have grown, with 15% of secondary school pupils now in classes of over 30, and schools are relying more on unqualified or non-specialist teachers to fill gaps.
The upcoming spending review is seen as a critical opportunity to address the crisis, with calls for significant pay increases, financial incentives, and improved working conditions to attract and retain teachers.