Roadmap outlined for more flexible teaching

A new road map on how to attract more teachers through offering greater flexibility has been published by Teach First.

The new report, Tomorrow’s Teachers: A roadmap to get Gen Z into the classroom, sets out a comprehensive roadmap of the transformations it says are needed to attract the next generation of teachers – including a new system of formal secondments for existing teachers to spend some time out of the classroom in other sectors, before returning with new skills, enthusiasm and energy.

Teach First commissioned research agency Public First to poll 3,000 16–24-year-olds to probe attitudes to careers, particularly in teaching. Three quarters (73%) said that teaching was a job that had purpose – the highest of the career options tested. Over three fifths (61%) of Gen Z would consider working as a teacher, but nearly half (47%) said they would enjoy teaching for a few years, but not their whole career.

42% also perceive teaching as stressful and 36% say the salary is poor and that schools lack funding. Moreover:

• 71% of said that it would be easier to earn a lot of money in another sector.
• 57% said it would be easier to do something new or innovative in another sector.
• 46% said that it would be easier to achieve a good work-life balance in another sector.
• 45% said it would be easier to develop professional skills in another sector.

Teach First believe more individuals would become teachers if changes were made to the profession that reflect the career priorities of Gen Z.

These include a good work-life balance (56%), a high long-term salary (47%), the opportunity to learn and develop professionally (36%) and career advancement opportunities (32%).

Teach First is calling for a pilot of short-term secondment into a different industry or profession. It says this would provide new skills and perspectives which teachers can use to benefit their pupils upon their return to teaching.

Other recommendations include:

• Establishing a route to increase teacher and trainee teacher salaries to be in the top third of the graduate salary market by 2030.
• Setting out a “working flexibility” entitlement for every teacher.
• Improving the conditions under which teachers are working by targeting funding towards schools supporting the highest levels of disadvantage and reducing workload.

Teach First CEO Russell Hobby said:  “For too long conditions in the teaching profession have failed to keep pace with what the next generation of workers crave in a career – and what they can find in other sectors. This means that, despite having huge respect for teachers, Gen Z are simply not signing up in sufficient numbers. This is holding back the education of our young people, especially from poorer backgrounds.

This comprehensive study offers innovative solutions to long standing problems, based on the best possible insights of what has the potential to work. Change will not happen overnight, but by making the necessary interventions, we have the power to break the cycle of inequality and unlock the potential of every child, regardless of their background.”