In a significant move to address the ongoing teacher recruitment and retention crisis, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has initiated a drive to recruit 6,500 new teachers. This effort underscores Labour’s commitment to prioritising education as a national concern.
Phillipson is set to address all education workforces on Monday and will engage with union leaders and other key figures in the upcoming days. The initiative includes reinstating and expanding the Every Lesson Shapes a Life recruitment campaign, which directs prospective candidates to a supportive platform that offers advice from teacher training advisers, a contact centre, and a comprehensive programme of national events.
Labour has pledged, as part of its election campaign, to make the recruitment of 6,500 teachers a foremost priority. This ambitious target is anticipated to be funded by taxes on private school fees, although the specific timeline for policy implementation remains uncertain. This proposal, a critical component of Labour’s manifesto, has ignited debate. Some view it as an equitable means of revenue generation, while others argue it disproportionately burdens parents.
Phillipson is determined to elevate the status of education and the teaching profession. The Department for Education (DfE) has emphasised that these efforts are crucial for solving the current crisis in teacher recruitment and retention. Phillipson has remarked that an immediate priority is to reconnect with the education workforce, which she notes has been “talked down, sidelined, and denigrated” for an extended period. The relationship between teaching unions and the previous government had been strained, resulting in multiple strikes over pay issues last year.
While the 2024/25 pay offer for teachers has not yet been disclosed, union leaders have expressed optimism about Phillipson’s approach to her new role. Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), highlighted the necessity of rebuilding trust between government ministers and educators, expressing hope for a phase of stability and seriousness under Phillipson’s leadership. Kebede emphasised the urgency of publishing the new pay and funding offer to correct prior missteps by the former government.
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), extended congratulations to Phillipson on her appointment but also signalled the considerable challenges that lie ahead. Whiteman affirmed NAHT’s readiness to work collaboratively with the new government and looked forward to partnering with Phillipson and her team in the forthcoming years.
Phillipson’s initiative represents a pivotal step toward addressing the teacher recruitment and retention crisis, aligning with Labour’s broader educational priorities. The success of these efforts, supported by dialogue and cooperation with key stakeholders, will be crucial in reshaping the future of education in the UK.
