More migrants hired by schools to help recruitment crisis, report shows

The government’s annual Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report has shown that 887 migrant teachers were employed by schools in 2015.

The use of tier 5 visas, which allows graduates from restricted countries such as Australia to teach in the UK for two years without an extension, was shown to be on the rise in the report.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 42,000 tier 5 visas were granted in the UK last year, however it is not possible to determine how many teachers are among the figure.

The report also highlights a need for computer science, Mandarin and general science teachers to be included in the official occupation shortage list - which shows the lack of local residents able to fill the vacancies.

Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told Schools Week: “Schools are so desperate for teachers they are prepared to hire them on these short-term visas even though it means there will be rapid turnover of staff.”