Government policy hurting teacher recruitment, say Durham University academics
A new paper published by Durham University academics Beng Huat See and Stephen Gorard argues that teacher shortages are partly created by government policies themselves. They indicate that flaws in the selection system, school funding system, the official extension of the education and training leaving age and increases in the number of small schools may be to blame.
In the article’s abstract the authors say:
“There is widespread concern about the shortage of secondary school teachers in England. Recruitment to initial teacher training regularly fails to meet its intake targets. The secondary school pupil population is increasing. Teacher vacancies have risen, and more teachers are reportedly leaving the profession prematurely. Despite considerable investment in a wide range of initiatives, costing millions of pounds, the government has acknowledged that it has been unable improve the situation substantially.”
The authors suggest a reconsideration of the current selection processes for initial teacher training, independent review of the Teacher Supply Model and a long-term approach to teacher supply planning, considering other policy changes in a more coordinated way.
The full paper is available online here.