I RECENTLY WOKE UP TO THE FOLLOWING HEADLINE…

Is this seriously true?  With 1 million new students expected to enter the school system in the next 10 years this indicates that a storm is on the horizon. But sadly this headline is no surprise.  A number of articles have been written over the last six months discussing the issue and demanding that action must be taken today!

Whenever this topic is raised with politicians they are unable to give a direct answer; they speak in riddles and talk about the past. In my opinion ‘burying their head in the sand’ is an understatement.  They are pot holing, with no provisions, no light and more importantly no map, and guess what is happening, yes the water level is starting to rise and panic is setting in!

I have observed this water rising. Since starting Teachers today in Sussex I have witnessed the decline at first hand with schools turning to agencies to find qualified staff.

• Teaching positions being filled the week before breaking-up for a September start.
• A dramatic reduction in the number of applicants per role, especially in the core subjects areas
• Non-specialists teaching core subjects to fill gaps.
• Schools having to be creative with timetables because of positions not being filled
• A number of teachers turning their backs on permanent contracts favouring supply instead. Less stress and a better work life balance.

The article mentions that 61% of teachers want to quit because of workload and 57% would like a better work life balance. I was one of the 57%. Having worked in senior leadership for more than six years (two as a Deputy Principal) I agree with the above. I was working over 65 hours a week, responding to emails at the weekend and generally having no time for my own life & relationships.

The light bulb moment for me came when I was sitting at a conference with a colleague who mentioned that a friend of his sadly died at the age of 65, after retiring at 63. I knew something had to change.

I toyed with the idea of doing something completely different. Many of my colleagues  and friends said that it would be a real waste if I left teaching and without blowing my own trumpet, I am pretty good at it!

As the Co-Director of Teachers today I now feel revitalised, I enjoy working with teachers and helping them to achieve that long-term contract in Brighton, East & West Sussex. I currently teach two days a week in a school and I love it. Firstly, this is because I enjoy being in the classroom and secondly I am in touch with the educational system and its developments. Supply teaching in Sussex does not come with the same pressures as the permanent role within a school.

At Teachers today we are busier than ever, providing staff for both day-to-day and long term teaching contracts in Sussex. I want to see the profession improve and the Government must act now if it is to avoid a recruitment disaster with potentially 50% of teachers quitting over the next two years.

What should they do?

• Make the profession more appealing to new graduates, what are the benefits to them and their future careers? All we seem to hear are the negatives.
• Protect school budgets to protect teachers.
• Improve pay for new teachers
• Address the issue around workload and allow teachers to do what they do best, what they are trained to do -Teach.
• Re-evaluate a target driven educational system.
• Talk to schools & agencies. Why are so many teachers quitting and turning to supply?

Teaching is an amazing profession that influences the lives of many young people.    Teachers today take this very seriously; we work closely with our teaching staff so they feel confident, prepared and paid adequately to teach.

If you would like to find out more about us at Teachers today and potential positions please contact us at https://www.teacherstoday.co.uk/