Educators’ union Community has blasted the government’s disastrous failure on recruiting new teachers in England.
The criticism follows the Department for Education’s publication of data on secondary teacher training places in England for 2023/2024 today. The latest figures show that the department has recruited just half the number of secondary teacher trainees it projected were needed this year.
Helen Osgood, Community’s National Officer for Education & Early Years, and Martin Hodge, Community’s Head of Education Policy, commented:
“Today’s recruitment figures are a disaster for our schools and colleges, but most of all for our children as they mean that even more lessons will be taught by unqualified teachers and non-specialists. We have repeatedly warned the government that their strategy for recruitment is failing to attract enough candidates and these latest figures confirm that.
“What we must do, is improve the conditions for all staff in schools: improving pay, increasing PPA time, and reducing accountability, stress and workload. But this will only be the start. We need to retain and reward experience and celebrate our support staff, and this will take significant investment which is desperately needed.”
2023/24 initial teacher training figures published today, 7 December, are available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/initial-teacher-training-census/2023-24
Community is the union for education and early years professionals: representing teachers, headteachers, education, school support staff and early years staff. With over fifty years’ experience, we represent members and campaign to improve conditions for education and early years professionals. We are a modern trade union, campaigning for a better working world.
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2025
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