A DECADE of neglect by the Conservative government is driving teachers out of classrooms and could harm children’s education, politicians and unions have warned. 

Analysis by the Labour Party has revealed that newly qualified teachers are more likely to leave the profession than in 2011. 

Teachers who have worked in the job for a year are 25 per cent more likely to quit the profession than 10 years before, while the figure for those with three years’ experience is 17 per cent.

Alongside this increase, schools across England have also seen teacher vacancies almost triple, with nearly 1,000 posts currently unfilled. 

Higher pupil-to-teacher ratios mean that a secondary school of 1,000 pupils would have seven fewer teachers now than in 2011. 

Shadow education secretary Kate Green warned that this could slow children’s educational recovery from the pandemic with teachers having less time to focus on each child’s needs.

“Ensuring every child can bounce back from the pandemic should be a top priority but the government has said nothing about the workforce that will deliver the additional support and enhanced offer children need,” she said.

“Our dedicated teachers and school leaders have worked incredibly hard to support children and families through the pandemic.

“We must now recognise their invaluable contribution if we are to deliver the promise of a bright future for every child.”

Conservative pay freezes have seen teachers’ salaries fall £4,000 in real terms since 2011, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s latest pay freeze expected to hit 94 per cent of teachers.

Recent surveys from the National Association of Headteachers and the National Education Union (NEU) show teachers have put in thousands of extra hours over the last year, including managing test and trace within their school community.

NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “After teachers have gone the extra mile over the last year to educate the nation’s pupils remotely and keep children safe, the government’s decision to impose a pay cut is nothing short of a slap in the face. 

“We won’t recover from the pandemic and give every young person the chance to fulfil their potential if ministers persist with running our education service on the cheap.”

A Department for Education spokeswoman said that it was working to develop a long-term plan to make sure all pupils have the chance to recover from the impact of the pandemic as quickly and comprehensively as possible.

This includes reforms to teacher training, early career support, professional development and teachers’ pay, she said.