Three in ten teachers are considering leaving the sector

Approximately three in ten teachers are considering leaving the sector in the next year, according to a new survey.

The survey, conducted by education recruitment firm Randstad Education, revealed that nearly half of those questioned (47%) cited a poor work/life balance as their main reason for wishing to leave the profession, while other reasons given included low salary level (26%), retirement (21%) and wanting a career change (6%).

The results, documented in a new report, The Changing Face of Education Recruitment in the UK, revealed that a sizeable 30% of the 1,365 teachers polled in March 2016 said that they are considering leaving the sector in the next 12 months.

The figure was higher still for main scale teachers, of whom 34% said they are either actively considering, or would consider a career change. Likewise, 32% of SEN (special educational needs) teachers are also open to leaving the profession.

Meanwhile, the concerns of senior teachers – those aged 55+ – are particularly pronounced. Nearly eight in ten senior teachers reported feeling pressure to leave at state pension age regardless of their skills and experience, while 36% in this age category said the pressure on them to leave at state pension age is significant.

The survey results will make challenging reading for the Government, which has failed to hit its recruitment targets for education for four consecutive years. Parents are also likely to be concerned, given the impact an exodus of teachers would have on their children’s education.

Jenny Rollinson, Managing Director, Randstad Education, commented: “The genuine concerns many teachers have should give the Government food for thought. The education sector urgently needs to be revitalised and while the Government must play its role, many schools, too, will have to do their bit to bring about change.

“Hiring teachers and, just as importantly, retaining them has never been as important. The need for schools to have planned recruitment strategies in place and a positive brand and working environment is paramount. It’s very clear that schools that provide the greatest support for teachers and offer them a better work/life balance will have a disproportionate amount of interest from new recruits and a much improved retention rate. The quality of UK education is renowned throughout the world and while I’m sure this will ultimately continue, these findings should make us all sit up.”