Marvin OnumonuEducation leaders are calling on the Government to unlock over £140m in unused apprenticeship levy funds to help stop teachers leaving the profession.
At a House of Lords roundtable hosted by Commercial Services Group, leaders heard that four in 10 teachers expect to leave within a decade, and nearly a third within three years.
Baroness Mary Bousted (pictured) said: “The transformational thing in the next 20 years is how do we make teaching a profession where 40% of teachers don’t leave within ten?”
Robert Halfon identified the apprenticeship levy as a major untapped resource.
According to LMP Group, UK schools pay around £180m a year but only 22% is used.
Halfon said better use of the levy would allow schools to “upskill existing staff, support recruitment and retention, and reduce reliance on costly agency staffing.”
Participants said redirecting the unspent levy into leadership programmes and career pathways could help with workload, support wellbeing and keep experienced staff in classrooms.
There was agreement that structural barriers push teachers, especially women in their thirties, out of the workforce.
Flexible contracts, job-sharing and return-to-work schemes were highlighted as ways to keep experienced staff.
Financial incentives and more support staff for disadvantaged or under-performing schools were also seen as vital to closing recruitment gaps.
Dr Robin Bevan said: “Retaining teachers is not just a priority – it’s essential to the future of education.
“If we don’t support those in the profession today, we risk jeopardising the learning and success of the next generation.”
Research from Commercial Services Group found that persistent mental-health strains and a 66% rise in parental complaints are driving more teachers out of the profession.
John Doherty, divisional CEO of professional services at Commercial Services Group, said: “At our recent House of Lords roundtable, education leaders spoke with real clarity about what’s driving teachers away, and what could bring them back.
“Releasing even a portion of the £140 million in unused Apprenticeship Levy funds would let schools act on those insights, investing in leadership training, flexible roles and return-to-work support.
“It’s a practical step we can take now to turn conversation into meaningful action for teachers and pupils alike.”
