The work of teachers is subject to routine surveillance that has become intensive, excessive and intrusive, robbing them of autonomy and driving the retention crisis, says Dr Mary Bousted, author of Support not Surveillance.
Today I have one burning question: Why is it so difficult for teachers to remain in the profession? The numbers jumping ship are alarming. Within five years of qualification, more than 31% have left teaching. Within 10 years that figure rises to more than 40% (DfE, 2022).
No education system can succeed without a good supply of teachers. Successive governments, presented with strong evidence that excessive and intensive workload is the overwhelming reason for teacher flight, have professed teachers should be highly valued but have done little to realise that ambition.
