Commenting on the new initial teacher training data released today by the Department for Education which revealed a worrying and growing crisis in primary teacher recruitment, with the shortfall doubling compared to last year and only five secondary subjects meeting their recruitment targets, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union, the NAHT said:

"These concerning figures lay bare the scale of the challenge facing the government if it is to achieve its welcome target of recruiting 6,500 new teachers. There is a modest improvement in secondary teacher training, but against a dismal background, and a worsening crisis in entrants to teacher training at primary schools.

“We hear from both primary and secondary school leaders who simply don’t have the teachers they need – and this is a symptom not just of difficulties recruiting, but also their struggles to retain existing teachers, both recently qualified and experienced.

“Teaching shortages mean some pupils may not get the consistency or depth of learning they need, with more being taught by teachers who are not subject specialists, by teaching assistants, by supply staff, or by existing teachers taking on extra classes.

“Vacancies add to eye-watering workload among teachers and school leaders, and this can be a vicious cycle, harming their wellbeing and leading more to consider quitting what should be a truly rewarding profession.

"The government has pledged to address the recruitment and retention crisis. But to be successful it needs to build on the 5.5% pay rise agreed for this year with a series of increases over this Parliament to restore salaries to 2010 levels after years of real-terms cuts - and restore the profession as one graduates aspire to and existing teachers wish to remain in long-term.

“It must also tackle crushing levels of workload, boost professional recognition and agency, and ensure fundamental reform of Ofsted and high stakes accountability with all the harm they cause to the wellbeing of teachers and school leaders.”