“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.”