Only three subjects hit trainee teacher targets as secondary school recruitment crisis grows

The warnings have come after the latest initial teacher training (ITT) figures show a series of missed targets at secondary level.

Secondary recruitment targets have not been hit for three years in succession now and the latest figures show that only 82 per cent of teacher places have been filled for the 2015/16 academic year.

It means that there are more than 3,400 fewer secondary trainees entering the profession this year than are needed.

With schools facing the prospect of a compulsory English Baccalaureate, the Department for Education’s figures show that not enough teachers have been recruited in key EBacc subjects including mathematics, languages, science, geography and computing.

In fact, only three subjects across the board have hit their targets – history (113 per cent recruitment against target), English (103 per cent) and PE (100 per cent).

The worst performers include design and technology (41 per cent), religious education (63 per cent) and art and design (63 per cent). And within the EBacc subjects, computing recruited just 70 per cent against target, physics 71 per cent, and geography 83 per cent.

There were a total of 15,114 new secondary trainees starting ITT this year – up by more than 2,000 on last year. However, it was not enough to meet the higher targets at secondary level, including across priority subjects.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said it was “extremely concerned”, while the National Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned that action is needed on workload and pay to resolve the situation.

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said “The figures from the Department for Education highlight what most in education already know: that teacher recruitment levels are at a critically low point, particularly in subjects such as physics, RE and design and technology.

“What the figures don’t capture is that even in subjects where recruitment appears to be close to target, those trainees might not be where they’re most needed once they’re qualified. They also don’t capture the ever-increasing workload and a growing gap between private and public wages in a context of high rents and mortgages, which are driving many excellent teachers out of what can be a deeply rewarding profession.”

ASCL general secretary Brian Lightman added: “We are extremely concerned at the significant shortfall in new trainee teachers in secondary subjects. There are serious shortfalls in the core subjects of maths and science, and also in languages and geography, both of which are also English Baccalaureate subjects.

“The government wants 90 per cent of pupils to sit GCSEs in the English Baccalaureate subjects. How will this be possible when there will clearly not be enough teachers for them?

“It will inevitably mean that more classes will be taught by non-specialist staff and that there will be greater use of temporary cover.”

Mr Lightman repeated his calls for “urgent action” from the government. He added: “There must be more incentives to attract trainees into the profession and more must be done to publicise the great career opportunities that teaching offers.”

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: “The government has been warned about the problem of teacher shortages for some time yet has persistently failed to respond adequately to the challenge.

“Securing teacher supply for the future and preventing teacher wastage requires a change of direction in government policy to ensure teaching is a profession that fairs well in comparison with other graduate occupations. Without substantial changes to pay and workload teacher shortages will simply get worse.”

Initial teacher training recruitment 2015/16