The school system in England is facing a growing challenge of ensuring that sufficient numbers of high-quality teachers are employed in all subjects and across the country. Efforts to improve pupils’ education and learning will be hampered without a high-quality workforce supporting them to make progress in the classroom.
NFER’s school workforce research programme combines analysis of large datasets, robust evaluation, surveys and in-depth qualitative research to provide fresh evidence and insights that support improvement in teacher recruitment, retention and development. Our research aims to give policymakers and system leaders an accurate picture of the education workforce to guide effective, proportionate and well-targeted action.
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Teacher recruitment and retention in England data dashboard
This dashboard provides information on the nature of teacher recruitment and retention challenges and their implications for pupils and schools across a range of dimensions.
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Teacher Labour Market in England Annual Report 2025
NFER's annual Teacher Labour Market report shows that June’s Spending Review is the Government’s last chance to enact the policy changes needed to hit its 6,500 new teacher manifesto pledge.
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How to recruit 6,500 teachers?
This research, funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, provides analysis showing how the Government could achieve its manifesto pledge of finding 6,500 additional teachers.
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Racial equality in the teacher workforce
This research report explores the representation and career progression opportunities in the teaching profession in England among people from different ethnic minority backgrounds.
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Read the Research Overiew of the Teacher Workforce dynamics in England