AoC and Jerry White respond to PAC report on teacher numbers

Responding to the Public Accounts Committee's report on increasing teacher numbers in schools and further education, David Hughes CBE, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges said:

"This is a helpful and comprehensive report and I welcome the first five recommendations. My response to recommendation six is that we have to face up to the reality that pay is the biggest barrier to recruitment and retention in FE. Until that is addressed, colleges will struggle to recruit the right staff and the government’s ambitions for skills will be thwarted.”

Jerry White, Principal and Chief Executive, City College Norwich, Paston College and Easton College said:

"I am concerned by the projected need for 8,400 to 12,400 additional teachers in further education colleges by 2028/29. With approximately 200 colleges in England, this translates to an average of 50 teachers per college, highlighting a significant and urgent need for action.

"While secondary schools face a need for 1,600 more teachers by 2027/28, the disparity in the numbers clearly shows where the most critical shortages lie. The recent investments in construction are a step in the right direction, but we must also focus on addressing the immediate and growing demand for FE teachers across all subject areas. Setting specific recruitment targets for FE teachers, as the report suggests, could be a crucial step in driving the necessary action from government which would allow our economy to have the skills it requires to grow.

"It is essential to emphasise the rewarding nature of a career in FE teaching. Our colleges play a vital role in supporting and facilitating the swift and effective transition of professionals from industry into teaching roles, ensuring they are well-prepared to inspire and educate the next generation."