Creating Value In Schools
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The Missing Mothers report highlights the number of women in their 30s leaving the teaching profession, and the negative impact on the sector:
Without retaining experienced teachers, we perpetuate the cycle of shortages and instability in our schools. (‘Missing Mothers’, p.10)
They put forward a number of recommendations to remedy this situation, including better maternity pay, coaching, more women in leadership, and more flexible working options.
The Missing Mothers report was produced by The New Britain Project and The MaternityTeacher /PaternityTeacher Project.
Based on the DfE School Workforce in England 2023 data, the report identifies that women aged 30-39 are the single biggest group that leave the English state education sector each year, totalling more than 9,000.
The report also highlights an increase in the number of teachers exiting the profession, with teacher vacancies doubling in the last three years.
They argue that not only does this mean fewer teachers in classrooms, it also means the profession is losing more experienced teachers – teachers who could be providing much-needed mentorship and stability for newer teachers. They see a cycle of unsustainable levels of teacher attrition.
Factors contributing to women in their 30s leaving teaching, based on the report’s survey data, include:
