Views & Opinion
Why retention is as big an issue as recruitment in education Comment by BALJINDER KULLER, Founder and Director of The Supply Register
Teacher recruitment has hit the headlines in recent months following the new government’s plans to recruit 6,500 new teachers. However, this figure will arguably only scratch the surface of the talent problems facing the education market, particularly with a huge number of existing professionals leaving the sector entirely. But why is retention such a problem for schools, and what can be done to tackle it? It’s not just education suffering from this
workforce management problem, several other industries are also facing long-term skills shortages that show no sign of abating, with retention a key contributory factor. Legal shifts making immigration more challenging have played a part and meant we can’t recruit skills from abroad to the same extent, because there’s no guarantee that these people and their families will be able to stay indefinitely.
Currently, retention in education is getting worse. In primary schools, the number of teachers has fallen across the UK, particularly in London. Meanwhile the increase in secondary teachers entering employment is being outpaced by the growing numbers of pupils. But why are so many professionals leaving?
We’ll tackle the elephant in the room; pay is an issue. The cost-of- living crisis and other macro inflationary pressures have meant money isn’t going as far, and there is a need to boost salaries on top of the rises handed out earlier this summer as part of the 2024 pay award. Negative press around pay for teachers simply fans the flames further, and this is exacerbating the impact of staffing strikes, which are adding to fatigue amongst specialists. However, most professionals aren’t drawn to education to make millions, and there are other deeper-rooted issues in play that are impacting retention rates.
Stress is a particularly key factor; 52% of teachers said their workload increased significantly over the past year, with a large proportion working over 50 hours per week, way above levels in other industries, which is leading to work-life imbalances. It’s clear that many are simply growing tired of the pressures they face working in education. Linked to this are growing numbers of teachers reporting mental health challenges. A 2023 study by the Teacher Wellbeing Index found that 81% of teachers said their job had negatively impacted their mental health. It’s not surprising; these professionals worked throughout the pandemic, and are at the coal face of the range of social challenges facing the UK at the moment. In addition, the rise in mental health issues among students has added to the emotional burden on teachers. They are expected to manage these complex issues in addition to their teaching responsibilities, which is a significant weight to carry.
There are also professional challenges that need to be tackled. The nature of the market means that for those who do not want to take on leadership roles, there are limited opportunities for career development. This can lead to frustration and stagnation, and to teachers feeling that their efforts and experience are not adequately recognised or rewarded. Equally, the often-unnecessary scrutiny placed on professionals by testing bodies further adds to dissatisfaction and anxiety, an issue which should be tackled to help boost teacher retention.
Without further action, we will be on the verge of a real crisis in education that won’t be easily resolved in the coming years. The current plans to recruit over 6,000 teachers mean that even if targets are met, only one in every five of the 32,163 schools in the UK will benefit from a new teacher, and that’s before we factor in attrition rates. Yes, it’s a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to support the skilled professionals already in education, whilst equally attracting more people to the sector.
Vaping in schools: students deserve protection, not punishment
Comment by SIMON HASSETT, Founder and CEO of Vape Guardian
When I launched VapeGuardian, the mission was straightforward: provide schools with a tool to catch students vaping on school grounds. We were part of the disciplinary process, working alongside institutions focused on enforcing the rules. But over time, as I’ve spoken to teachers, school leaders, and safeguarding officers across the UK, I’ve realised that we need to change our approach. These young people
aren’t simply breaking the rules; they’re being exploited by an industry that has grown at an alarming rate, largely unchecked. Let’s be clear: every student caught vaping is a victim. They are victims of an industry that has been allowed to market addictive products in ways that specifically appeal to young people. Walk into your local shop, and you’ll see vapes prominently displayed, wrapped in colourful, sweet- themed packaging, sitting next to chocolates and crisps. The price point is low enough that, for many teenagers, trying one seems like no big deal. The harsh reality is that for young people who decide to take that first puff, the consequences are often far more serious than they imagine. The sellers themselves, in many cases, don’t hesitate to sell vapes to minors, confident that even if they are caught, the penalties are minimal. It’s a perfect storm of lax regulation and irresponsible marketing that is trapping a generation of young people.
Once a student gets hold of a vape, they are exposed to staggering levels of nicotine. Many of these products contain more nicotine than a
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pack of cigarettes, and the impact on adolescent brains, which are still developing until around age 25, is devastating. Nicotine addiction is a powerful force, and for students, it manifests in the form of cravings that they struggle to control. They become dependent on nicotine to manage their stress levels, as their brains adapt to the constant influx of the stress hormone cortisol. Before long, they are vaping not for fun or rebellion but because their bodies are crying out for relief.
This is why I now believe that focusing solely on punitive measures is the wrong approach. Yes, schools need to enforce rules, but what we’re really seeing here is a public health crisis. Much of the vaping industry is preying on young people, and we have a responsibility to protect them. At VapeGuardian, we’ve shifted our focus. Our detection systems are still important, but they’re just one part of a broader strategy that includes education, support, and awareness. Schools must be equipped with the tools not just to detect vaping but to address the root causes and help students who are struggling. We need to work together—schools, parents, communities, and policymakers—to break the cycle of addiction before it takes hold.
The solution isn’t simply to punish students for vaping; it’s to recognise that they’ve been targeted by an industry that sees them as a profitable market. We need to focus on prevention, education, and support, ensuring that our young people are equipped with the knowledge and resilience to make informed choices.
As this vaping crisis continues to unfold, I believe we have an obligation to protect our students, not by punishing them, but by offering them a way out.
October 2024
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