Number of teachers in England’s state schools drops for second year in row

Despite Labour’s promises to increase recruitment, school census shows a fall of nearly 2,000 teachers since last year The number of teachers working in England’s state schools has shrunk for the second year in a row, even as the government said it was meeting its promises to increase recruitment where needed. The annual school workforce census shows there are 466,300 teachers in state schools this year, a fall of more than 1,900 since last year due to declining numbers in mainstream primary and secondary schools. But the Department for Education said the government was meeting its manifesto pledge to employ 6,500 additional teachers over the current parliament, with more special needs and pupil referral unit teachers, as well as further education teachers for students up to 18 years old. Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, said: “We’re making real progress where it’s needed most: over two-thirds of our pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers has already been met, fewer teachers are leaving the profession than at any point on record, and more are choosing to build long, rewarding careers in teaching.” However, the DfE’s figures showed the fewest entrants