Huge shortage of head teachers at start of school term

More than 40 Kent schools are starting the new term without a head teacher in place, according to a report by education chiefs.

As the new school year gets underway, KCC says that 45 schools are without a “substantive” head in place and a wider problem with teacher recuitment is forcing it look overseas to fill vacancies.

It has not identified the schools in question without a head but it is understood that they cover both primary and secondary schools..

County education chiefs insist that “robust interim leadership arrangements” are in place but the figure represents an increase over last year.

The higher number this year reflects concerns among teaching unions that schools often find it hard to fill positions because of the growing pressure on school leaders.

Of 56 headship vacancies in Kent advertised in 2016-2017, nearly half failed to find a suitable candidate first time round.

That compares with 39 vacancies for head teachers in 2015-16.

Overall, 3405 teaching vacancies in Kent schools were advertised in 2016-17, for which there were 7,823 applications.

And a continuing shortage of teachers has forced KCC to turn to a further recruitment campaign overseas with plans to appoint up to 18 classroom teachers from Australia next month.

That follows a campaign that saw a number of teachers from New Zealand appointed to jobs in Kent last October. A further recruitment drive in the country is also planned.

KCC says that international recruitment is only a short-term solution to the wider problems of filling permanent vacancies.

Christine Dickinson, who represents Kent teachers on the NUT, said: “Unfortunately due to the financial problems that we have in schools, instead of employing supply teachers who are fully trained teachers, schools tend to use cover supervisors which may mean they are not qualified.”

“I don’t want to consider where we might be heading. It’s an awful prospect for our children today that they might not be able to get a proper education. We need more funding.”

Among steps the council is considering to recruit headteachers is to set up a dedicated headhunters’ agency.

KCC launched a three-year plan to tackle teacher shortages in 2015, drawing together a series of strategies to identify and encourage more teachers to consider becoming heads.

The Kent Leaders in Leadership plan focuses on offering would-be heads a “strong and supportive network” .

The report coincides with new figures produced by Labour that suggest teachers are more than £5,000 a year worse off on average in real terms than in 2010.

County councillors were due to discuss the findings on Thursday.