Georgina Newton from the Centre of Teaching Education at the University of Warwick comments on the Teacher Retention in England.

"I strongly welcome the fact that the Secretary of State has recognised that there is a crisis in teacher retention in England.

"Teachers are leaving the profession more quickly than training institutions can prepare new teachers. We also know that it takes a new teacher a few years to become as good as they can be, so this shortfall causes issues in the quality of our educational provision in schools.

"The proposals to incentivise remaining in teaching up to the 3 and 5 year points are welcome as they will hopefully begin to address the strong drop-off figures for newly qualified teachers (nearly 40% are leaving within 5 years of starting teaching).

"However, I would argue that a more systemic approach needs to be taken. Those working with new teachers to mentor them should also be rewarded, as should every hard-working teacher in the land.

"So a stronger base of financial provision to schools should be arranged, taking into account pay requirements across the board.

"This would address the need to recognise the achievements, resilience and hard work of all the half a million teachers in this country, not just those reaching the 3 and 5 year points.

"It is also good to see that the SoS recognises that more flexible working arrangements are needed to keep good teachers in the classroom.

"A range of measures, offering many different types of flexibility will be needed over a longer period of time to allow this to bed in and become workable, both for schools and individuals.

"I welcome these announcements if they represent a true change in ethos. One which makes our schools kinder, more accommodating and more humane places for teachers and children to work together productively every day.

"If this is a short-lived sticking plaster, without the fiscal and moral backing which will make it work long-term, I’m afraid it will do little to address the deep need for more great teachers in our schools."

ENDS

28 JANUARY 2019

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager - Science, University of Warwick
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 574 255 or + 44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.co.uk

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager - Science, University of Warwick
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 574 255 or + 44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice dot j dot scott at warwick dot co dot uk