our schools

graduates are choosing teaching – the Government missed its recruitment target for new secondary school teachers by a staggering 41 per cent this year.

One in four teachers leave the profession after three years. Thousands upon thousands of experienced teachers and support staff are taking second – even third – jobs just to make ends meet. Many more have left, no longer able to afford to work in education, or manage the stress and exhaustion that has become part of the job.

Working weeks of 55 to 60 hours are commonplace. For those left in the profession, especially teachers in subjects where there are acute staff shortages, workload has increased.

Honking horns from passers-by

As they picketed on the cold, bright morning, members received huge support from passers-by, who honked their car horns in solidarity or joined picket lines.

Outside a school in Wiltshire, the deputy head told Educate: “No one wants to take industrial action, and it’s a sad day when you have to. But there comes a time when