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Teacher retention commission: 8 proposals to stem exodus

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Summary

Education Support and Public First have released a list of 8 proposals to help stem teacher exodus in the sector. These proposals include replacing undirected hours with contractual working hours, minimising 'pointless' tasks, setting teacher retention targets, giving headteachers paid sabbaticals every five years, recognising behaviour issues 'exceeding' schools' capacity, providing a Human Resources advisory service to promote flexible working, undertaking an urgent review of the Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualifications and reviewing the current school accountability system. The Department for Education has responded to the report by stating that 9 in 10 teachers who qualified in 2020 were still teaching one year later.

Q&As

What are the key findings from Education Support's Commission on Teacher Retention?
The key findings from Education Support's Commission on Teacher Retention include considering replacing undirected hours, being clear on 'pointless' tasks, setting teacher retention targets, giving headteachers paid sabbaticals every five years, recognizing behaviour issues 'exceeding' schools' capacity, providing a human resources advisory service to promote flexible working, urgently reviewing ECF and NPQs, and conducting a 'holistical' review of accountability measures.

How has teacher retention worsened after the Covid-19 pandemic?
Teacher retention has worsened again after a short-lived Covid lull, with the latest school workforce figures due to be published this week.

What kind of incentives are suggested to help retain teachers?
Incentives suggested to help retain teachers include financial rewards tied to the successful completion of NPQ pathways, incentive payments for teachers working in educational investment areas, and a flexible working offer in another sector.

What measures are recommended to reduce workloads and increase work-life balance?
Measures recommended to reduce workloads and increase work-life balance include a government-commissioned independent review of the current statutory guidance on pay and conditions for teachers in England, codifying what “poor practice” around workloads looks like, consulting with staff over what could be scaled back, and integrating wellbeing into the school workload policy test.

How can the current school accountability system be improved?
The current school accountability system can be improved by conducting a 'holistical' review of accountability measures, ensuring schools remain accountable without driving up workloads, and reframing the content and delivery of the early career framework (ECF) and the frameworks underpinning National Professional Qualifications (NPQs).

AI Comments

👍 This article provides a comprehensive set of proposals to help address teacher retention issues in the sector. It is encouraging to see the government taking a proactive stance to ensure teachers have the best work-life balance and resources available to them.

👎 This article fails to address the root causes of the teacher retention crisis. It is worrying that the government has not taken any concrete steps to address the underlying issues of teacher workload and accountability pressure.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about proposals to stem teacher exodus. It suggests replacing undirected hours, setting teacher retention targets, giving headteachers paid sabbaticals every five years, recognizing behaviour issues that exceed schools' capacity, creating an HR advisory service to promote flexible working, reviewing ECF and NPQs, and having a ‘holistical’ review of accountability measures.

Friend: Wow, that’s a lot of proposals! It seems like the government is really trying to address the teacher retention crisis.

Me: Yeah, it looks like they’re taking the issue seriously. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of impact these proposals have on teacher retention. I think it’s great that they’re looking into ways to reduce workloads and create better work-life balance for teachers.

Action items

Reach out to local school districts and offer to help review their current policies on teacher hours, retention targets, and sabbaticals for headteachers.
Research and become familiar with the Early Career Framework (ECF) and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) to better understand the content and delivery of both frameworks.
Advocate for a holistic review of the current school accountability system to ensure schools remain accountable without driving up workloads.

Technical terms

Teacher Retention Commission: A commission established to investigate and propose solutions to the issue of teacher retention in the sector.
Exodus: A large-scale departure or emigration of people.
Retention Targets: Goals set by an organization to maintain a certain number of employees.
Sabbaticals: A period of paid or unpaid leave from work, typically taken every seven years.
Workforce Census: A survey of the number of people employed in a particular sector or industry.
Covid Lull: A period of reduced activity or intensity due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recruitment and Retention Inquiry: An investigation into the recruitment and retention of employees in a particular sector or industry.
Initial Teacher Trainees: Newly qualified teachers who are undergoing training.
Work-Life Balance: The balance between an individual's work and personal life.
Educational Investment Areas (EIAs): Areas identified by the government as having a high concentration of schools with a high proportion of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Ofsted: The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills, a non-ministerial government department in England.
Foodbanks: Charitable organizations that provide food to people in need.
NPQH+: A new National Professional Qualification for Headship, plus additional qualifications designed to develop people management skills.
ECF: Early Career Framework, a two-year programme of support for newly qualified teachers in England.
NPQs: National Professional Qualifications, a suite of qualifications designed to develop leadership skills in the education sector.