Shortage of teachers will ‘polarise schools’

The number of pupils is expected to grow by 900,000 over the next decade (Getty Images)

A teacher recruitment crisis could lead to a “polarised” education system with good schools “cherry-picking” the best staff, chief schools inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw warned yesterday.

Sir Michael said he was “becoming increasingly concerned” about the declining numbers wanting to enter the teaching profession.

The number of new entrants has fallen 16 per cent in the past five years, education standards watchdog Ofsted’s annual report revealed. Recruitment to teacher training courses was seven per cent below target this year.

The number of pupils is expected to grow by 900,000 over the next decade.

“The nation must avoid a polarised education system where good schools get better at the expense of weaker schools,” said Sir Michael.

Sir Michael also revealed that 89 good or outstanding schools that had converted to become academies had declined in performance – and were ranked inadequate.