The Education Committee has today published the Government response to the Committee’s Recruitment and Retention of Teachers report.
The Committee’s original report had covered a range of issues relating to teacher recruitment and retention, highlighting concerns over teacher workload, the status of teachers, shortcomings in the Department for Education’s teacher supply data, and the ability of teachers to undertake high quality continuing professional development (CPD).
A Government spokesman welcomed the Committee’s inquiry, saying:
“The evidence is clear that the quality of teachers and teaching is the single most important school-based factor determining the standard of education. The impact of being taught by a good teacher disproportionately affects the most disadvantaged children. If we are to achieve our ambition of securing a world-class education for every pupil in England—regardless of their background—then every school needs to be able to recruit and retain the best teachers.
“Recruiting, retaining and developing high-quality teachers is by no means a simple task. Government, schools and the teaching profession must work together to deliver this. An example of this collaboration is the recent establishment of the independent Chartered College of Teaching. Initially funded by Government, this new body provides an opportunity for teachers to establish a stronger professional identity for themselves, putting it on a par with other high-status professions.
“The Department believes that the range of interventions, support and initiatives that are in place are having a positive impact on ensuring that teaching is, and remains, an attractive career choice for the highest calibre of professionals. The Government is committed to doing whatever it can, working closely with the profession as a whole, to ensure that every pupil in England’s schools is taught by excellent teachers.”