'Crisis point' teacher shortage as Herts vacancies 'rise 71%'

Data from teaching jobs site TeachVac shows primary and secondary schools in Hertfordshire posted 3,426 vacancies through its website over the course of 2022 – up by 71% on 2,002 the year before.

The Association of School and College Leaders said teacher shortages are at a "crisis point" and urged the Government to address falling recruitment and retention.

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There are 36 roles currently being advertised on the Government website within five miles of Watford, including at The Grange Academy in Bushey, The Reach Free School in Rickmansworth, and Colnbrook School, in Watford.

Across England, teacher vacancies increased significantly in 2022 as the profession faced increasing recruitment and retention pressures following the coronavirus pandemic – job listings on TeachVac increased from 64,283 in 2021 to 107,104 last year.

The Association of School and College Leaders said 95% of schools have reported struggling to recruit new teachers in the past and nearly a third of new teachers leave the profession within five years of qualifying.