With pupil numbers in the UK set to continue to rise and teacher numbers at an all-time low, it’s a challenging time for schools across the UK.
Figures show that in 2017 there were 451,900 full-time teachers working in English state schools compared with 457,000 in 2016. Teacher numbers have not been lower since 2013 according to the Department for Education and there is currently a shortfall of 30,000 professionals. This, coupled with the record number of teachers leaving the profession and increases in pupil numbers, makes for grim reading.
However, Hugh Hegarty, chief executive officer of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT), said: “As a newly formed Catholic multi academy trust, teacher recruitment, retention and development is of paramount importance.
“As the region’s largest Catholic trust with 25 schools in both the primary and secondary sectors, we recognise the need to address this critical issue head on and believe we are in the enviable position of being able to offer a very diverse programme of engagement for teachers and new trainees.
“NPCAT is focused on academic excellence and the spiritual and moral development of our pupils, staff and the communities we serve.”
The academic excellence is evident in the fact that 88% of the trust’s schools are now rated as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted and four of its primary schools were named in the Sunday Times top 250 – Christ the King, in Thornaby, St Edward’s, in Linthorpe, St Thérèse of Lisieux, in Ingleby Barwick and St Bede’s, in Markse-by-the-Sea, which was also named State Primary School of the Year by the paper.
“This quarter we are set to launch a series of engaging initiatives aimed at not only attracting new teachers through our many Initial Teacher Training programmes, but also developing our current teachers through our own internal, targeted CPD programmes, with the aim of identifying the next generation of leaders,” added Mr Hegarty.
To help drive interest in the teacher training programmes, NPCAT is offering taster teacher sessions across all their schools for anyone interested or considering going into teaching.
These sessions will give people first-hand experience of what it’s like being in a school and the diversity a job in teaching can offer. For further information, please contact John O’Boyle at oboyle.j@npcat.org.uk.
NPCAT is also delighted to announce that from September it will be working with four Initial Teacher Training Providers (ITTPs). St Paulinus, Guisborough, is working in partnership with Durham University, St Patrick’s, Thornaby, with Leeds Trinity, Sacred Heart, Middlesbrough, with Redcar SCITT and St Joseph’s, Middlesbrough, will be one of the lead schools for the Carmel Teacher Training Partnership. For further information, please visit npcat.org.uk/initial-teacher-training.
NPCAT seeks to create an environment which will inspire and challenge its teachers and leaders, creating a culture where knowledge and best practice is shared and recognised and achievement is celebrated.
“The aim of the teacher training programmes is develop our own pool of teachers, used to working within our framework and dedicated to delivering outstanding Catholic education,” said Mr Hegarty.
The trust currently has several vacancies including headteacher and deputy headteacher. Please visit npcat.org.uk/current-vacancies for more details or to apply.