'Recruitment/Retention and Shortfall in ITE'

Recruitment/Retention and Shortfall in ITE confirmed that recruitment and retention figures are remaining low in an education system which we see is under stress and over-loaded amongst student teachers and early career teachers (ECTs). We need a fundamental recasting of what education is and what it is that teachers do and particularly what ownership they have over the language which describes them and their work. There are vital steps to be taken within ITE and induction, but we want to see a better shared understanding, subject to wide consultation, on what new teachers will need. We need better frameworks, something that speaks of a more ambitious vision of what teachers do, more generous ways of talking about pedagogy and the roles, capabilities and professionalism of teachers.

There are no unchallengeables in the plans for teacher recruitment and professional preparation. CPD needs to be much better. Teachers need to be recognised as intellectuals and to have agency in their work. Teaching takes place in an untidy reality with unpredictability and we need to learn how to fail better – and learn from it!