Highlights of the week ending 24 March
This week the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) published a new report revealing that the number of teacher vacancies posted by schools was 93% higher in the academic year up to February 2023, than at the same point in the year before the pandemic. The report calls for a long-term strategy on teacher pay to halt what it describes as a growing workforce crisis, as figures indicate that the initial teacher training (ITT) recruitment target is likely to be missed again.
Teacher training was a hot topic this week. The Education Committee opened a new inquiry into teacher recruitment, training, and retention, and launched an associated call for evidence to help with its work. The Committee will investigate the current state of teacher retention and recruitment, the main factors causing difficulties, and the impact on students. The call for evidence closes Friday 21 April.
The Department for Education (DfE) also launched a call for evidence, seeking research that may inform amendments to the initial teacher training (ITT) core content framework and the early career framework (ECF). This closes on the same day. Additionally, DfE has appointed an external steering group to review both the initial teacher training (ITT) framework and Early Career Framework (ECF), made up of seven experts who are reportedly “closely familiar” with the reforms and underpinning evidence.
Meanwhile Ofqual launched a new consultation on changes that would allow students to take the Core Exam and Core Project – part of the Technical Qualification in a T Level – separately at their first attempt. The proposed change is intended to offer more flexibility. The consultation closes at 22:45 on 15 May.
Finally, Pearson published an Insights: Onscreen Assessment, a report into progress being made around the adoption of onscreen assessments in schools.