One third of teachers quit the classroom within five years

Almost one in three state-school teachers who began work in 2010 left the profession within five years, official figures show.

After just one year, one in eight had quit the classroom.

The Government claimed retention rates have been ‘broadly stable’ for 20 years, but the figures show that around 7,200 of the 24,100 newly qualified teachers who joined schools in November 2010 had left the profession by 2015.

Furthermore,  after just one year only 87 per cent were still in the classroom, while this figure dropped to 82 per cent after two years.

As further attrition took place, this fell to 77 per cent the following year, 73 per cent after four years and just 70 per cent after five.

The figures were published by schools minister Nick Gibb in response to a written ministerial question submitted by Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland.

Schools minister Nick Gibb

The LibDems said ministers must address the reasons that teachers feel 'demoralised and under-valued’.

The party’s education spokesman John Pugh said: 'This is a damming record for Michael Gove’s time as education secretary.

'It is bad enough that dedicated teachers are being driven away from the profession they love, but this is also laying the foundations for a disastrous teaching shortage in years to come if we cannot train new teachers fast enough to replace the ones which leave.

'The Government must urgently work with the teaching community to address the many factors which are making teachers feel demoralised and under-valued, as well as reversing their devastating cuts to school budgets which are putting increasing pressure on teachers and schools.’

A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We recognise teachers’ concerns and are continuing to work with the sector to find constructive solutions to this issue.’

Kevin Courtney, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: 'It is deeply regrettable that so many people have chosen to leave teaching, when we need new teachers more than ever.

'Ministers need to ask themselves why this is happening, and to take immediate action.

'They need to face the fact that schools have become more difficult and less rewarding places in which to work.’

Pictures from Rex Features