To address a severe recruitment and retention crisis, schools in England are implementing various incentives to attract and retain teachers. These include offering two free periods a week, a nine-day work fortnight, and more planning time at home to enhance work-life balance. The government aims to recruit 6,500 new teachers and recognizes the need for flexible working conditions. However, experts stress that improving pay is also essential to compete with other professions. A recent Teach First report highlights that while many young people view teaching as purposeful, they also perceive it as stressful and underpaid. Union leaders emphasize that while these measures may help, they won’t fully resolve the issues, and government intervention in pay and conditions is crucial for long-term improvement. The Department for Education acknowledges the current challenges and is working to make teaching a more attractive profession.
