Number of teachers retiring early highest for over a decade

In total, 8,880 state school teachers chose to retire before their pension age in 2010/11 – the largest number for 13 years, according to new Department for Education (DfE) figures.

The statistics show an extra 1,570 teachers decided to leave the classroom early in the last academic year compared with 2009/10 when 7,310 teachers took early retirement.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) claimed that excessive workload and the pressure caused by Ofsted inspections are encouraging some teachers to leave the profession early. However, the Government said the increase is linked to the fall in the number of secondary school age pupils nationally which is reducing demand for teaching posts.

The statistics show that before 2010/11, the last time a higher number of teachers retired before retirement age was in 1997/98 when 11,350 left early.

Changes made to the teachers’ pension scheme from the end of August 1997 meant that many more teachers took early retirement that year than in previous years, the DfE report says.

Looking back over the past two decades, more teachers retired early last year than in 1989/90 when the total stood at 8,060. By 1998/99 this had dropped to just 2,370 teachers, with the numbers then generally rising every year apart from a slight dip between 2006/07 and 2009/10. Under the current system, the teachers’ pension age is 65, whereas before 2007 teachers could receive their pension at 60.

The figures come as the Government remains embroiled in a row over the future of public sector pensions with a number of trade unions, which could see more strikes in the coming months.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: “Excessive workload, a restrictive curriculum and the intense worry and fear regarding Ofsted inspection would certainly lead to many teachers wanting to take early retirement. The teaching profession comes under almost daily attack and criticism from Government and Ofsted.

“In too many schools planning and assessment requirements have become formulaic burdens which have become the bane of teachers’ lives, add to that pay freezes and threats to pensions.

“This Government is turning one of the best jobs possible into a very pressured and difficult one. This will be reflected in recruitment as well as early retirement.”

A DfE spokesman said: “It’s no surprise that nearly every single teacher retiring early this year is in his or her late 50s, following very long careers.

“The number of secondary pupils is dropping rapidly so there is less demand for teaching posts, particularly given the massive rise in staff numbers over the last decade.

“It’s no surprise that teachers who joined the profession in the 1970s might choose to draw their pensions early – as is their right.

“We’re putting in place long-term reforms to attract and retain teachers – giving schools far more freedom to get on the with the job; shifting Ofsted inspections away from peripheral issues; offering new training bursaries of up to £20,000 and career-long professional development; and giving more powers to heads to reward staff for their hard work.”

Next week a delegation of MPs will visit Yorkshire as part of a parliamentary enquiry looking at how to recruit, train and retain teachers. The House of Commons Education Select Committee will visit schools in York to meet with teachers and pupils before holding discussions with trainee student teachers from Yorkshire universities.

MPs from the House of Commons Education Select Committee will visit York on Monday, March 5 as part of its inquiry into the recruitment, training and retention of teachers.

Its chairman Graham Stuart, the Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness, said: “The best part of the committee’s job is leaving our desks in Westminster and meeting professionals, parents and students from across the country.”