Fewer than 10 teacher vacancies as new term begins

Deputy Rob Ward said the government wanted to do more to make the profession of teaching more appealing

There are fewer than 10 teacher vacancies in Jersey schools at the beginning of the new autumn term, according to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning.

Deputy Rob Ward described it as a “pleasing number” but admitted there were still issues around retaining teaching staff.

He said the government wanted to do more to make the profession more appealing and cut vacancy rates in the island.

However, the minister described the start of the new school year as ‘positive’ after the teacher pay dispute was resolved in February.

'Difficult for a while'

"The positive thing is that we enter this term not in dispute, with a real positive future ahead," he said.

"It’s difficult at the end of a holiday to say what morale is like but I think the relationship is really good with the teaching profession.

"It has been difficult for a while but we look forward and we want to build on that."

Deputy Rob Ward described the number of vacancies as "pleasing"

The pay deal saw an end to a long-running dispute between teaching unions and the government.

A number of strikes took place across 33 States schools in 2023 in protest at the original 7.9% increase which was accepted by other public sector workers.

Teachers were awarded an 8% rise for 2024, then 1% above inflation for the next two years, as well as a one-off payment of £1,500.