Trainee teacher recruitment targets missed again in 2022/23
The teacher recruitment and retention concerns rumble on, with the latest initial teacher training (ITT) census statistics revealing that only 59% of the secondary teacher target was met in 2022-23. The figures, released by the Department for Education, show that 12,356 secondary trainees signed up against a target of 20,945 and that the number of primary trainees also fell short of the target, with 10,868 trainees recruited against a target of 11,655.
Whilst this is the ninth time in the last ten years that the secondary target has been missed, it is the first time since 2019 that the primary teacher recruitment number has fallen short. Overall, the target for postgraduate ITT recruitment across all phases was missed by 29%, with 23,224 trainees recruited out of a target of 32,600 – a 23% decrease on last year’s figures and the lowest outcome since 2015.
In total, 13 of the 17 secondary subjects failed to meet recruitment targets. Physics, design and technology and modern foreign languages were the subjects with the lowest uptake, with physics only recruiting 444 trainees out of a 2,610 target, amounting to just 17%. Design and technology trainees made up 25% of the target, computing 30% and modern foreign languages 34%. STEM subjects also continued to struggle to attract new recruits, with targets missed by 46% overall. Maths was the closest to its goal, with 90% of the target being met, followed by chemistry (86%) and biology (85%).
With the National Foundation for Educational Research predicting that the government is set to miss the 2023-24 secondary teacher recruitment target by 42% and the primary target by 21%, it seems as though more may need to be done to improve the situation.
For more information on how Eteach is supporting teacher training providers with their recruitment, please email our Education Partnerships team via marketing@eteach.com
About the author
Emma Johnston
After graduating with a BA in Communications from Bournemouth University, Emma worked in public relations and marketing before deciding to undertake a PGCE at Kingston University and begin her journey as a primary school teacher. Emma taught for 15 years in schools around London and Surrey, in a variety of roles including lead practitioner and assistant headteacher. Emma now works for Eteach as Education Partnerships Coordinator, where she can share her knowledge of the education sector and support those beginning their teaching career.
