There has been a backlash at the Department for Education’s attempt to put a positive spin on the latest school workforce figures – ignoring the fact that a record 40,000 teachers quit last year.
The data release (DfE, 2023a) shows that 39,930 teachers left teaching for reasons other than retirement in the last academic year (2021/22). This is the highest number since records began in 2010.
Added to the 3,929 who retired, this means 44,000 teachers left schools last year.
Of particular concern is the high and increasing proportion of new teachers who continue to quit each year.
