Workforce

The latest news and analysis on the school workforce in the UK and at international schools, including teacher recruitment, retention and shortage subjects

Thursday

31st Jul 2025

7 key findings from the DfE’s latest teacher training data
The DfE has released data for the 2023-24 initial teacher training performance profiles
Magnified numbers

Wednesday

30th Jul 2025

Teacher recruitment ‘back to pre-pandemic levels’
Analysis of the latest data shows an improving picture for ITT recruitment, according to NFER workforce lead Jack Worth
Recruitment has improved this year and is now as close to targets as levels since before the pandemic.

Friday

18th Jul 2025

Primary falling rolls leading to staff cuts, DfE survey finds
Leaders say they have had to cut non-teaching staff, reduce the use of supply teachers and some have not replaced teachers when they have left the school, poll reveals
Primary falling rolls leading to staff cuts, DfE survey finds

Wednesday

16th Jul 2025

Swinney threatens councils to cut class contact time
But local authorities say that government funding to date does ‘not come close’ to the true cost of delivering the policy and it could have ‘a detrimental impact’ on pupils
John Swinney

Tuesday

15th Jul 2025

The barriers that still block female leaders - and how to remove them
A former school leader who has investigated the difficulties that women face in rising to headship reveals her key findings, and how the sector needs to evolve to support women’s career progression
Woman stuck on ladder

Thursday

10th Jul 2025

Can primary teachers help recruitment in Scottish secondaries?
Teacher recruitment and retention problems are blighting many subjects in Scottish secondary schools, but this primary teacher says his career journey highlights one possible solution
Woman stepping across a stream

Wednesday

9th Jul 2025

DfE ‘lacks coherent plan’ to boost teacher recruitment
It is not clear how the government intends to fulfil its promise to recruit 6,500 more teachers, an MPs’ committee warns
Box of carrots

Monday

7th Jul 2025

Nursery teachers in disadvantaged communities to be offered £4,500
The DfE has also announced new funding for partnerships between schools and nurseries to strengthen transitions
Nursery teachers in disadvantaged communities to be offered £4,500 incentive

Wednesday

2nd Jul 2025

The parental leave review: a chance to boost teacher retention
The government’s review of parental leave could have a big impact on education – but there is plenty schools can do now to better support new parents, says Dr Sarah Mullin
How the government's review of parental leave could improve teacher retention

Tuesday

1st Jul 2025

Language GCSE entries much lower in less affluent schools
Schools in disadvantaged areas have been hit harder by the difficulties in recruiting languages teachers, according to British Council report
French language lesson

Friday

27th Jun 2025

7 findings from survey on working lives of teachers and school leaders
DfE publishes full report – including findings on behaviour, inspection and flexible working – of its 2024 survey
7 findings from survey on working lives of teachers and school leaders
Trainees from overseas sleep in libraries and rely on food banks
International trainees and teachers are helping to tackle England’s recruitment crisis, but those who move here face huge obstacles. Cerys Turner explores why this is – and what should be done about it
Asleep reading books in library