TEACHER vacancies have doubled in the past two years with a record 44,000 leaving their jobs in the last year alone, government statistics have revealed.

Figures published today show the number of teacher vacancies rose from 1,100 to 2,300 over the two years ending in November.

Temporarily filled teacher posts rose from 1,800 to 3,000 over the same period with 44,000 teachers leaving the state sector in 2021-22: 7,800 more than the previous year.

National Education Union joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said:  “This latest data shows the unacceptable consequences of real-terms cuts to teachers’ pay and unmanageable teacher workload.

“It is imperative if this tide is to be turned that government must increase and fully fund pay and reduce teacher workload.” 

The NASUWT union’s general secretary Dr Patrick Roach called the stats “yet further damning evidence of a crisis in teacher recruitment and retention” caused by the government’s failure to invest in the teaching profession.

“Surging levels of workload, excessive working hours and dwindling real-terms pay has made the job increasingly unappealing,” he said.

Jack Worth, from the National Foundation for Educational Research, said: “It is hugely concerning that 40,000 working-age teachers left the profession last year, the highest level since records began in 2010.”

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson accused the Tory government of creating a perfect storm in teacher recruitment and retention.

She said: “Labour will restore the status of teaching and recruit thousands more expert teachers to drive high and rising standards in our classrooms, paid for by ending tax breaks for private schools.”

Downing Street said the government was committed to offering teachers fair pay but also needs to protect taxpayer interests.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan claimed a record number of teachers are now joining the country’s schools.