Teacher recruitment falls to a decade low, but staffing challenges remain
- 25th Jun 2026
- Jenni French
A new report from Teacher Tapp and SchoolDash, funded by Gatsby, paints a complex picture of England’s teacher workforce. While schools are advertising fewer teaching posts than at any point in the last nine years, many still report challenges in ensuring pupils have access to suitably qualified teachers.
Published after the key May resignation deadline, the report finds that secondary teacher job advertisements have fallen by 27% compared with last year and are now almost half the level seen in 2018/19. This reflects a combination of falling pupil numbers and lower teacher turnover, with fewer teachers moving between schools in a weaker labour market.
At first glance, this might suggest that recruitment pressures are easing. However, the evidence from schools tells a more nuanced story. Primary teachers are increasingly reporting staffing shortages, with many schools relying on non-teachers, temporary staff or non-specialists to cover classes. Rather than struggling to fill vacancies, some schools appear to be absorbing staffing gaps internally.
The report also highlights persistent inequalities across the school system. More affluent schools continue to attract stronger applicant pools than disadvantaged schools, meaning that improvements in recruitment conditions are not being felt equally. This matters because access to high-quality teaching remains one of the most important factors in improving outcomes for young people.
For Gatsby, the key question is not simply how many teachers are employed, but whether all young people have access to high-quality, subject-specific teaching. This is particularly important in shortage subjects such as physics, where schools continue to face challenges securing specialist teachers. Even with increasing numbers of overseas trainees entering physics teacher training, this does not automatically translate into more specialist physics teachers in classrooms, particularly where schools face barriers around recruitment, visa sponsorship and employment.
The findings also raise longer-term concerns. Fewer teachers expect to remain in the profession over the next three years than before the pandemic, and aspirations towards school leadership continue to decline. While current labour market conditions may be masking these pressures, they have not disappeared.
The report is a reminder that fewer vacancies do not necessarily mean staffing challenges have been solved. Ensuring every young person has access to excellent teaching – regardless of where they live or which school they attend – remains a critical priority.
Download full report: Teacher Recruitment and Retention in 2026
