Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the (a) financial cost and (b) cost of the effect on pupils' learning of replacing a teacher who leaves a school.

The Department for Education has not estimated the financial costs of replacing a teacher who leaves a school as teacher recruitment is undertaken directly by schools and local authorities.

Evidence is clear that being taught by a good teacher has a significant impact on how well pupils achieve. We are therefore supporting schools to attract and retain high quality teachers, minimising any disruption to children’s learning. Official statistics show that teacher vacancy rates are declining and retention remains stable, with the majority of new teachers still teaching after five years. Children in England now have the best chance they have ever had of attending a good or outstanding school.