ASCL comment on NFER analysis of retention payments for early career teachers

26/06/2025
Julie McCulloch, Senior Director of Strategy and Policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, responds to analysis from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), of the effectiveness of schemes to improve teacher retention via financial incentives for early career teachers.
 
“This useful research suggests that while there may be some benefits to these payments, the evidence is far from conclusive. We agree with NFER that the government needs to develop wider recruitment and retention strategies.
 
“In terms of attracting young teachers into the profession, it’s vital that historic pay erosion is reversed in order to ensure that salaries are comparable to other graduate roles. To improve retention rates, pay must remain competitive throughout a teacher’s career, and steps must be taken to dial down the accountability system and workload pressures that are driving many teachers away from the profession.
 
“Only by taking significant action, in multiple areas across the education system, can the government hope to get a grip on the recruitment and retention crisis.”