Spending on supply teachers tops £800m

The amount spent on supply teachers in England has exceeded £800 million, according to analysis by the BBC.

The report claims that a total of £821 million was spent on supply staff, which represents the equivalent of £168 on each pupil to cover vacancies and absences.

The amount spent on supply teachers accounted for six per cent of total spend on staff wages, and the BBC report suggests it is due to schools in England struggling to recruit enough teachers.

Schools in London spent the most on supply teachers, with primary and secondary schools spending a combined £212 million on supply staff, which is the equivalent of £261 per pupil.

Responding to the report, a spokesman for the Department for Education said: "Supply teachers provide a valuable role for schools, and schools themselves are best placed to make staffing decisions to reflect their individual needs. It is up to head teachers and governors to decide who is required for the job and this includes how best to cover absences.

"The number and quality of teachers is at a record high, with over 1,000 more graduates training to teach secondary subjects now than a year ago. The overall teacher vacancy rate is 0.3 per cent and has remained around or below one per cent for the past 15 years."