Chris Potter

Chris Potter

Headteachers say they are struggling to recruit professionals to teach core subjects likes English, maths and science.

This is according to a new survey by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which noted that 44 per cent of school leaders have vacancies in English posts, 52 per cent in maths and 50 per cent in science.

Further compounding this shortage of teachers is a fall in the number of youngsters going to university - principally because of high tuition fees - and a rise in the number of children entering secondary school.

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the ASCL, called on the next government to make sure “schools and colleges can recruit and retain the highest calibre of staff”.

“The existing teacher supply model does not work,” he continued. “Schools all over the country are experiencing unprecedented difficulties recruiting trainees, qualified teachers, middle and senior leaders.

“The next government must act urgently to ensure that effective processes are put in place to model numbers of teachers needed in each sector and region and then promote the status and value of teaching as a profession.”

The ASCL has developed a ten-point plan to help alleviate the “teacher supply crisis”, which it says both the government and the profession can work to deliver.

Some of the recommendations include reviewing and adapting the current teacher supply model, expanding the number of schools that are capable of delivering initial teacher training and launching a “profession-led” campaign to get more people into teaching.

“Teaching remains a great job which continues to offer people a rewarding and fulfilling career,” Mr Lightman went on to say.

“It is vital that the profession and government work together to emphasise this positive message. Teaching must be promoted as a high-status profession and a proposed Royal College of Teaching, to set standards and encourage professional learning, would help to do this.”

The challenges of being a teacher are so well-documented that it is any wonder we have teachers. The workload is so severe that it leaves professionals feeling dispirited, stressed and broken. There is also a sense of feeling undervalued, as if their role in schools is purely functional. And, well, there is never a sense of calm in the workplace - changes to education happen far too often for teachers to ever feel stable.

Yet, in spite of that, teachers continue to teach, and year after year, new recruits sign up to teacher training. People stay in the profession and enter, fully aware of how difficult things can be. The reasons for this are many and in this article we take a look at why so many people remain and are impassioned about teaching, despite the obvious drawbacks.

To work with children and make a difference

Making a difference to children and young people and making a real and long-lasting impact on their lives is one of the top reasons for teaching. Appreciating that these are some of the most formative years of a person’s life, being able to inspire youngsters - through one’s subject - is an exceptionally rewarding experience.

To be part of a profession that is varied and fun

No two days are ever the same with teaching, as you’re constantly progressing from one topic to another, engaging with different age groups and dealing with all sorts of situations that emerge (some good, some bad). Add to this the fun and creativity that can be had - and on a regular basis - and teaching elevates itself to an enviable position.

To teach and develop one’s subject and passion

There are a lot people out there whose vocation is not at all connected to what they are passionate about and interested in. And while that may not necessarily be to their detriment - they pursue their interests outside of work - that teachers get to regularly immerse themselves in something they care about is rather special to say the least.

To enjoy a competitive salary and enviable benefits

In short, the financial rewards and benefits that come with teaching can be rather substantial, which, along with job satisfaction, marks the profession out. The average starting salary in England is £24,200 and, depending on the pay policy of the school you work for, your earning potential can improve markedly in a short space of time.

To experience a better quality of life

On the balance of things - the late nights, the stress - this might seem rather weak, but, if you consider it for a moment, you can appreciate the value it brings. Teachers can have a holiday allowance of up to 13 weeks, the job fits into family life and it can be an extremely secure profession to be in.

Teaching is one of the most stressful vocations in the country, with high numbers of professionals admitting to feeling the heavy weight of their vocation on a daily basis or at least at some point in their career.

It’s a huge problem and one that is endemic in teaching. Seemingly, this has always been the case and therefore, given its prevalence, mustn't be overlooked. Schools need to adopt robust strategies for helping teachers with stress, otherwise they run the risk of perpetuating the same problems that makes it such a problem in the first place.

In this guide we look at some ideas that have been developed to tackle stress across the board (i.e. not just applicable to teachers), the levels of which in this country were described as “soaring” by a recent BBC investigation.

Identify what is making you stressed

Understanding the source of your disquiet helps you identify just what it is that is making you stressed. In turn, knowing what the trigger is helps you one, anticipate a problem and two, give you something to work towards.

Be more active

This may seem like it isn’t addressing the central problem, but studies have shown that the fitter and healthier you are, the more mentally alert and strong you will be. Additionally, while it won’t diminish stress in its entirety, it will reduce the severity of it.

Fight it head on

People feel a sense of weakness when admitting that they are stressed and will either shy away from it or think of it as a temporary state. This is counter-productive. You need to accept that it is an issue and moreover be adamant that you will work hard towards fighting it.

Going above what is mandatory in the classroom is important for many reasons. It makes teaching more engaging for professionals and lessons more interesting for students. In turn, pupils are not only more inspired but they also tend to perform better.

However, creativity is misunderstood, poorly invested and often overlooked when it comes to teaching. The focus of education can often be informed by the need to secure high pass marks. As such, children and young people are taught how to succeed at exams.

Resultingly, the quality of teaching can dip and the experience of learning becomes perfunctory. In such an environment, students can end up feeling bored, as if they are carrying out the motions. Teachers also can lose sight of why they entered the profession in the first place.

The question many ask, consciously and subconsciously, is “where has the fun gone?”. In fact, some may question whether there was any fun in the first place. The absence of enjoyment is hugely detrimental not just because it impacts on what is the most formative period of a person’s life, but distorts their expectations in later life.

For example, beyond school, further and higher education, in the world of work, without knowing it, you can end up in an environment that is not too dissimilar to the one you were used to at school. It’s prosaic, tasks are carried regularly and dispassionately and you seem to get little out of it.

However, as with before, we can be oblivious to this reality because if our experience of education was enough to get us to pass our exams - but not engaging and memorable - then why expect otherwise? Contrary to this is a learning experience that is captivating, enlightening and empowering. It makes people want to do more not just in school, but in life.

The challenge is making this happen within the constraints of any given school system and the wider parameters of education (i.e. the dictums of the political party in government). One can have, for example, a creative disposition, but find it tempered by the realities of what is demanded. And, is evidenced by teachers feeling overburdened by their incessant workload and feelings of stress, it is often a tough job to be in. Where then, is there time for creativity and fun?

The answer lies in making it happening. Now, this is by no means a walk in the park, but ultimately, where possible, you have to be more than proactive in cultivating the kind of atmosphere you want to work in. As we noted in the opening paragraph, you really do - for now - have to go above and beyond. Education is priceless, so make it creative and a whole lot of fun.

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