Would you support schools finishing early on a Friday to improve student and teacher wellbeing? Or is it a recipe for trouble for working parents?
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00:00Would you support schools finishing early on a Friday to improve student and teacher
00:06well-being, or is it a recipe for trouble for working parents?
00:10The latest official data has revealed that the number of teaching positions going unfilled
00:14has more than doubled in the last three years as many leave the profession for good.
00:18Schools are now considering measures to help retain teacher numbers.
00:21At West London School's Spring West Academy, there are longer school days Monday to Thursday
00:25to facilitate an early Friday finish.
00:28It's a move met by positive feedback from both pupils and staff.
00:32The National Foundation for Educational Research lead economist said the number of empty teaching
00:36roles is the highest it's been since comparable records began.
00:40So what's being done about it?
00:42In September, the current Conservative government raised starting salaries to £30,000 in a
00:47bid to incentivise new trainees.
00:49Labour has promised to recruit 6,500 more to the profession if they come to power in
00:53July, while the Lib Dems promised investment in education, including in teachers and schools.
00:59But is it enough?
01:00Why are so many teachers turning to other options, and what do you think would make
01:04them stay?