Recent research has shown a double win for schools: teacher trainee numbers are up, and workplace morale is on the rise.
A new report by Access Education highlights that nearly all school subjects have seen a growth in teacher trainees. In particular, Computing trainee numbers shot up by 44% in the last year, while Physics trainees jumped by 101% over the past five years.
Alongside this increase in trainee numbers, a Department for Education study shows that teachers are feeling better about their jobs. Last year, 54% of teachers and school leaders said they were satisfied with their work, a steady improvement over the last two years. On top of that, over two-thirds of teachers reported feeling valued by their school, which is the highest level seen since 2022.
While long-term challenges like heavy workloads and flexible working still need attention, these numbers indicate that conditions are beginning to improve.
Commenting on the possible upturn of the education sector, Emma Slater, a former Head of English and Lead Practitioner at Access Education, said:
“Both our ‘Great Teaching Divide’ report and recent Government data highlight a positive shift. Not only is teacher recruitment up, but schools are genuinely working to improve the daily working environment for new staff.
“While the need for these changes has been widely discussed for years, visible progress is now being made, making teaching a more attractive career choice. Still, there is significant work ahead, and schools must remain committed to these improvements to sustain long-term recruitment and retention.
“Ultimately, we are seeing real progress across the sector. With continued collaboration between schools, teachers, parents, and students, we are confident this marks the positive transformation education has sorely needed.”
