HILLINGDON schools could lose 240 teachers this year as record numbers continue to leave the profession, says a specialist recruitment consultancy.
TLTP Education says that, if Department of Education statistics are replicated evenly, the borough could lose one in 12 of its 3,091 full-time teachers.
The report comes after a recent study showed that many newly-qualified teachers quit before entering the classroom.
Only 62 per cent of newly-trained teachers were still in teaching a year after completing their training, according to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.
“There is nothing that can realistically be done to change perceptions of the teaching profession between now and September,” said Darryl Mydat, managing director of TLTP Education.
“However, we do need to address what is looking like a potentially alarming situation.”
More than 80% of newly-qualified teachers admitted they have considered leaving the profession because their workload was too high and 26% said it was because they were expected to take part in out-of-hours activities.
Nearly a third (30%) said they were put off by “teacher bashing” and a lack of respect for the profession.
The teacher shortage comes despite an increase in the number of entrants to teaching, with more than 35,000 embarking on initial teacher training last year.
Hillingdon will not be the only borough to suffer – TLTP Education says that neighbouring boroughs Ealing, Brent and Hounslow could face losing 250, 234 and 213 teachers respectively.
Mr Mydat encouraged schools to give more consideration to applicants from across the EU to fill posts.
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