Further Education in England

The evidence found on this page relates to teacher supply in Further Education in England and Wales. It is a resource for professional and research communities concerned with the recruitment and retention of teachers and support for their professional development. As such it is relevant for policy-makers, leaders, professional bodies, providers of professional learning, researchers and practitioners undertaking studies of teacher retention and strategic development to enhance teachers’ wellbeing.

The majority of the evidence provided is open access. It includes policy documents, reports, academic journal articles, books and chapters, briefings and blogs, and news and commentary published since 2019.

Each summary is labelled with its resource type and tagged with one or more themes. You can use the filters below to show only the evidence of a particular resource type or on a particular theme, and selecting a tag on any summary will take you to all resources sharing that theme. The search bar covers the full library, so results may include evidence relating to Further Education as well as schools; the sector is shown on each result. Each summary links to the original source where it is available.

Summary:

This research uses the FE Workforce Data Collection to analyse job roles and salary variation across colleges. It finds significant variability in role descriptions and median earnings, with FE teachers earning £34,875 compared to lower-paid instructors (£25,452), and notes that the FE workforce is older and more likely to work...
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Summary:

Provides a detailed overview of FE workforce trends including recruitment, retention, and wellbeing. Identifies pay and working conditions as key drivers of workforce shortages....
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Summary:

Outlines the government’s plan to increase teacher numbers across schools and FE. Establishes monitoring mechanisms but lacks clarity on FE-specific delivery....
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Summary:

This report examines the range of financial and non-financial incentives implemented by further education colleges to improve staff recruitment and retention amidst ongoing funding pressures. It highlights a strategic shift toward flexible benefits and targeted pay awards, such as the recommended 4% increase for the 2025/26 period, to maintain a...
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Summary:

Sets out the government plan to educate and train the workforce of the future and give people the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Working with businesses, colleges, universities and the wider skills sector and it is guided by their industrial strategy....
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Summary:

The 2025 report recommends pay and condition adjustments for teachers and school leaders in England to ensure professional competitiveness and sustainability. It analyzes economic data, recruitment trends, and retention factors to advise on salary updates and workforce management....
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Summary:

This systematic review synthesises evidence on the experiences of individuals becoming FE teachers in England, examining routes into teaching, induction experiences, and factors affecting early-career development. Key findings highlight the importance of mentoring, collegial support, and manageable workload in shaping positive transitions, while identifying performativity pressures, limited professional autonomy, and...
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Summary:

Provides data on FE workforce size, composition, and vacancies. Shows stable workforce numbers but continued recruitment challenges....
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Summary:

Evaluates whether government spending is effectively addressing teacher shortages across schools and FE. Highlights ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, including pay disparities and weak workforce planning....
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