Abstract:

This paper discusses the rising problem of teacher shortages in schools in England and by using recent reports from a wide variety of sources, including Parliamentary Committees, the Department for Education, the Education Press and the BBC, explores the possible causes of the problem. One particular cause for concern has been the rising number of routes into teaching, which have been created in recent years. Several sources have claimed that this has confused applicants and made them reluctant to apply to join the profession. However, the paper discusses other problems that are contributing to the shortages and examines the apparent reluctance of government to openly acknowledge the problem, despite protests from head teachers unable to find staff to fill empty teaching posts. It concludes that there is a crisis and that the problems will only escalate without drastic, prompt government action.

Keywords:

Teacher recruitment, routes into teaching, teacher shortages.