Asked by: Sarah Coombes (Labour - West Bromwich)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department holds on the number of qualified teachers who were unemployed on 8 October 2024.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
High quality teaching is the factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education.
This government is focused on supporting qualified teachers, be they newly qualified or returning to the profession, and helping them find teaching jobs that help both them and their pupils achieve the best possible outcome. The department has established its own vacancy listing service for state-funded schools in England, Teaching Vacancies, to provide an effective and simple process for teachers to find the right jobs. Schools can list all their vacancies on the service, including support staff roles, for free. Over 85% of state-funded schools now use this service to advertise teaching roles. Support is also provided to jobseekers on searching, applying and interviewing for a school that feels like the right fit.
For qualified teachers returning to the profession, the department offers additional support, including the Return to Teaching Advisory (RTTA) service, specialised events, and the Return to Teaching webpage. The RTTA provides tailored support from a one-to-one adviser who can help with the application and interview process, increasing classroom readiness and finding suitable vacancies. This year, we have seen an increase in the number of teachers returning to teach in state-funded schools in England; 17,388 (FTE) teachers returned this year, which is 669 more than last year (16,719).
The department does not hold data on the number of qualified teachers who are unemployed. The School Workforce Census measures the number of qualified teachers employed in the state sector and does not cover those employed by the independent sector. Further data on the teacher workforce is available through the publication of the School Workforce Census data, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/school-workforce-in-england-november-2023.
Asked by: Sarah Coombes (Labour - West Bromwich)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support unemployed teachers into teaching jobs.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
High quality teaching is the factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education.
This government is focused on supporting qualified teachers, be they newly qualified or returning to the profession, and helping them find teaching jobs that help both them and their pupils achieve the best possible outcome. The department has established its own vacancy listing service for state-funded schools in England, Teaching Vacancies, to provide an effective and simple process for teachers to find the right jobs. Schools can list all their vacancies on the service, including support staff roles, for free. Over 85% of state-funded schools now use this service to advertise teaching roles. Support is also provided to jobseekers on searching, applying and interviewing for a school that feels like the right fit.
For qualified teachers returning to the profession, the department offers additional support, including the Return to Teaching Advisory (RTTA) service, specialised events, and the Return to Teaching webpage. The RTTA provides tailored support from a one-to-one adviser who can help with the application and interview process, increasing classroom readiness and finding suitable vacancies. This year, we have seen an increase in the number of teachers returning to teach in state-funded schools in England; 17,388 (FTE) teachers returned this year, which is 669 more than last year (16,719).
The department does not hold data on the number of qualified teachers who are unemployed. The School Workforce Census measures the number of qualified teachers employed in the state sector and does not cover those employed by the independent sector. Further data on the teacher workforce is available through the publication of the School Workforce Census data, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/school-workforce-in-england-november-2023.
Asked by: Andrew Cooper (Labour - Mid Cheshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of teachers in (i) Mid Cheshire constituency, (ii) Cheshire and (iii) England.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
High quality teaching is the factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education. There are now 468,693 full-time equivalent teachers in state-funded schools in England, but the government must do more to ensure it has the workforce needed to provide the best possible education for every child in all parts of the country. This is why the government has set out the ambition to recruit 6,500 new expert teachers and retain our excellent school staff.
The first crucial steps towards achieving this are to ensure teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession and to reset the relationship with the teaching profession. As part of this, it is important that teachers get the pay they deserve, which is why this government is fully funding, as recommended by the School Teachers’ Review Body, the 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools. Additionally, from 1 September 2024 schools are no longer required to use performance related pay (PRP) as the basis for appraisals and decisions related to pay progression.
This government is providing schools with almost £1.1 billion in additional funding in the 2024/25 financial year to support schools with overall costs. This matches what we have calculated is needed to fully fund, at a national level, the teacher pay award, and the support staff pay offer in the 2024/25 financial year, after accounting for the overall available headroom in schools’ existing budgets.
Alongside teacher pay, the department is making £200 million available for bursaries and scholarships annually, with shortage subject trainees eligible in 2023/2024 for the highest bursaries of £28,000 and £30,000 for scholarships. The department will shortly be announcing the trainee incentives for the 2025/26 academic year.
To help with retention, new teachers of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing in the first five years of their careers can also receive a targeted retention incentive if working in disadvantaged schools. 6 schools in Mid Cheshire are eligible for payments to teachers of up to £6,000 after-tax.
The department has published a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’. Additionally, effective use of technology can automate tasks and help manage workload for teachers. For example, high quality AI tools have the potential to reduce the amount of time that teachers spend marking, whilst supporting effective feedback and tailored teaching which drive pupil progress.
In August 2024, the department announced a £1 million fund to support innovators to develop proof of concept AI tools to support teachers with marking and providing feedback. Oak National Academy has also recently launched a sector-leading AI lesson planning assistant which enables teachers who choose to use it to create personalised and tailored lesson plans and resources in minutes.
The department is committed to supporting schools to implement flexible working practices including taking planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely, to improve recruitment and retention of teachers. The department is also funding bespoke support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and multi-academy trusts. Schools in Mid Cheshire can access support on flexible working here: https://www.flexibleworkingineducation.co.uk/.
The department has established teaching school hubs across the country, which provide approved high quality professional development to teachers at all stages of their careers. Cheshire Teaching School Hub is a centre of excellence supporting teacher training and development across Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 887 on Teachers: Recruitment, whether the 6,500 target for new expert teachers relates only to new entrants to the profession.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.
The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.
The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.
To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.
Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.
The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.
The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.
My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 887 on Teachers: Recruitment, what her deadline is for achieving the 6,500 target for new expert teachers.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.
The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.
The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.
To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.
Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.
The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.
The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.
My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of the new 6,500 teachers her Department expects to have recruited in each of the next five years.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.
The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.
The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.
To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.
Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.
The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.
The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.
My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish the pupil number projections by phase of education for her plan to recruit 6,500 expert specialist teachers.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.
The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.
The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.
To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.
Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.
The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.
The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.
My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish a breakdown by (a) region and (b) phase of education for the 6,500 expert specialist teachers.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.
The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.
The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.
To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.
Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.
The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.
The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.
My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 887 on Teachers: Recruitment, which phases of education count towards the 6,500 target of new expert teachers.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.
The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.
The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.
To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.
Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.
The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.
The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.
My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 887 on Teachers: Recruitment, which subjects are included in the 6,500 target for new expert teachers.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The within-school and -college factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes is high quality teaching. Although overall teacher numbers in state-funded schools in England have increased from 453,820 full-time equivalent (FTE) in November 2019 to 468,693 FTE in November 2023, teacher numbers have not kept pace with demand and there are currently shortages of qualified teachers across the country. That is why this government will work with the sector to deliver its pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers across schools and colleges over the course of this parliament to raise standards for children and young people and deliver the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage.
The department will share further details of the plans for delivery in due course. These measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackling retention issues.
The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by ensuring teaching is once again an attractive and respected profession. The department has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools, which is effective from September. The requirement for performance related pay has also been removed.
To aid retention, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and technical subjects will be able to claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax from 14 October, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.
Alongside this, the department is also supporting teachers to improve their workload and wellbeing, including opportunities for greater flexible working. Teachers are now allowed to undertake planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time remotely and the department is also delivering a programme focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). This includes the delivery of supportive webinars and peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and MATs. Additionally, the department has made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including its ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.
The department has also expanded the school teacher recruitment campaign, entitled ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’, and the Further Education teacher recruitment campaign ‘Share your Skills’.
The department is dedicated to working in partnership with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession and as one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to and new graduates and industry professionals wish to join.
My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year Spending Review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future funding will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.