The number of teacher vacancies in the West Midlands has increased by over a third in 2022

The Department for Education released their School Workforce 2022 data release this week and shows the number of teacher vacancies in the West Midlands has increased by over a third (39%) in 2022 and the number of temporary filled posts have nearly doubled over the same period.

This release is largely based on the School Workforce Census. The census, which runs each November, collects information from schools and local authorities on the school workforce in state-funded schools in England.

Independent schools, non-maintained special schools, sixth-form colleges and further education establishments are not included. The release includes information on teaching and support staff, their characteristics, teacher retention and pay, qualifications and details of the subjects taught in secondary schools.

School Workforce West Midlands Headline Facts & Figures

• There are 52,132 FTE (Full time equivelent) teachers in West Midlands
• There are 29,473 FTE teaching assistants in West Midlands
• Pupil to teacher ratios are higher than the national average in primary and special schools but are slightly lower in West Midlands Secondary Schools. 21.3 pupils per teacher in nurseries and primary schools, 16.6 in secondary schools, and 6.9 in special and PRU schools. This is a 0.2 increase in each school phase.
• The number of teacher vacancies in the West Midlands has increased by over a third (38.9%) from 185 in November 2021 to 257 in November 2022 and temporary filled posts have nearly doubled from 217 in November 2021 to 422 in November 2022.
• Average salary for teachers in the West Midlands is the same as the national average of £41,604 up from £40,603 in 2021

School Workforce National Headline Facts & Figures

• FTE (Full time equivalent) teachers have increased by 2800 since last year and there are now 468,400 FTE teachers in England
• FTE (Full time equivalent) teaching assistants have increased by 5,300 since last year and there are now 281,100 FTE teaching assistants in England
• Pupil to teacher ratios are similar to last year: 20.7 pupils per teacher in nurseries and primary schools, 16.8 in secondary schools, and 6.4 in special and PRU schools. This is a 0.1 increase in each school phase.
• Last year there were 4000 more entrants than leavers meaning that the overall increase in the number of FTE teachers has increased by over 2,800.
• The number of teacher vacancies has increased from 1,600 in November 2021 to 2,300 in November 2022. Temporary filled posts have also increased; from 2,200 to 3,300.
• Average salary for teachers is £41,604

You can delve further into the school workforce release here.

If you have teacher vacancies that you are struggling to fill in your school, please call our friendly team today, to see how we can help.