A third of 2010’s new teachers have already quit profession Almost a third of newly qualified teachers who entered English schools in 2010 have since left the profession, official Government […]

Almost a third of newly qualified teachers who entered English schools in 2010 have since left the profession, official Government figures have revealed.

In the year the Coalition Government was formed and embarked on a series of major education reforms 24,100 new teachers entered the school system, the statistics show.

“It is bad enough that dedicated teachers are being driven away from the profession they love, but this is also laying the foundations for a disastrous teaching shortage” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. John Pugh MP

However, by the end of last year only 70 per cent of them had remained in the profession, with 7,230 deciding to leave teaching to pursue a different career.

Critics of the Government’s education policies said the figures proved ministers were “laying the foundations for a disastrous teaching shortage” – and pointed the finger of blame at former Education Secretary Michael Gove.

The statistics were revealed in a written parliamentary answer from Nick Gibb, the Schools Minister, following a request from the Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland.

They show that 13 per cent of the 2010 intake of newly qualified teachers ditched the profession after only a year. This climbed to 18 per cent after two years and reached 30 per cent in 2015, five years after they started.

During that time, Mr Gove became one of the Government’s most controversial figures as he drove through far-reaching educational reforms, turning most secondary schools into academies and re-writing the exam system.

‘Damning’

John Pugh, education spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, said the figures suggested that Mr Gove had left behind a “damning record” in his four years as Education Secretary.

“It is bad enough that dedicated teachers are being driven away from the profession they love, but this is also laying the foundations for a disastrous teaching shortage in years to come if we cannot train new teachers fast enough to replace the ones which leave,” he added.

“The Government must urgently work with the teaching community to address the many factors which are making teachers feel demoralised and undervalued, as well as reversing their devastating cuts to school budgets which are putting increasing pressure on teachers and schools.”

A Department for Education spokesman insisted that teacher retention rates had been “broadly stable” for the past 20 years and pointed out that British teachers enjoyed higher salaries than the average in OECD countries.

“Teaching remains an attractive career and we have more teachers entering our classrooms than those choosing to leave or retire,” he added.

“We want every child to have access to great teachers that aren’t weighed down with unnecessary workload so they have the time and freedom to do what they do best – inspire the next generation.

“We recognise teachers’ concerns and are continuing to work with the sector to find constructive solutions to this issue.”