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<p>It is a top priority of the government to ensure we continue to attract, retain,
and develop high quality teachers to inspire the next generation. The department is
making progress in delivering the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy, which
we published in January 2019:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/786856/DFE_Teacher_Retention_Strategy_Report.pdf"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/786856/DFE_Teacher_Retention_Strategy_Report.pdf</a>.
This includes commitments to reduce teacher workload, improve continuing professional
development, and offer greater opportunities for flexible working.</p><p> </p><p>Recruitment
to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects remains challenging.
Despite this challenge, 7,066 trainees were recruited to teacher training this academic
year (2020/21) in a STEM subject, compared to 5,865 last year (2019/20), which is
an increase of 1,201.</p><p> </p><p>We know there is further to go to ensure teaching
continues to be an attractive proposition. The department recognises that graduates
in STEM subjects often attract the highest salaries outside teaching, which is why
we are offering £24,000 tax-free bursaries for trainee teachers in chemistry, computing,
mathematics, and physics. We are also offering prestigious scholarship schemes in
partnership with professional bodies for chemistry, computing, mathematics, and physics,
where trainee teachers receive £26,000 tax-free and a package of tailored support
provided by the professional body.</p><p> </p><p>We are also piloting several retention
payment schemes for STEM teachers, including Early-Career Payments, Teachers’ Student
Loan Reimbursement and the Mathematics and Physics Teacher Retention Payments Pilot.
We are conducting full evaluations to assess the impact of each of these pilots, and
we will consider our future retention offer in light of the evaluation findings.</p><p>
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