Wiltshire teacher 'frightened' over recruitment crisis

Teacher Debbie Brown says the government must find money to recruit more staff

A teacher says she is "frightened" for the future of her pupils among a retention crisis in schools.

Latest figures show 30% of teachers are leaving the profession within the first five years.

Debbie Brown, a Swindon primary school teacher, says teachers are leaving due to "emotional and physical exhaustion".

The government says there are record numbers of teachers in schools and £196m will be spent on recruitment this academic year.

However, unions say that across England the government has failed to meet initial teacher training recruitment targets.

Ms Brown, who is also the Swindon District and Branch Secretary for the National Education Union (NEU), said: "In Swindon, but also nationally, there's a serious retention crisis in education."

'Government must find money'

She added teachers are also leaving due to "increased workload" and are off sick for long periods citing work related stress.

"They (the government) must find the money," she said.

"We educate the next generation and I am frightened for what is going to happen for our children.

"I need the government to wake up and make education a priority.

"The NEU want the government to understand that we need a fully-funded, above inflation pay rise."

Carol Parsons says it "drags you down" witnessing colleagues' health deteriorating

Carol Parsons, 62, worked as a teaching assistant in primary schools for more than 20 years.

Where non-specialist teachers cover lessons in secondary schools, in primary it is often left to unqualified teaching assistants.

"I was one of the ones who stuck by my guns and said that I would not cover a teacher because I don't believe that the children get the education they deserve," said Ms Parsons.

Ms Parsons says she witnessed the health of colleagues deteriorating, adding that it "drags you down".

"People that used to come in very bright and breezy in the morning, would come in with dread, looking at the whiteboard to see whether or not they were being put down for teaching during the day," she said.

"It can really take its toll on you, it can affect your physical health and your mental health."

The Government says there are "record numbers" of teachers in school

A secondary school teacher working in a Swindon comprehensive school, who has not been named, told BBC Radio Wiltshire they are "losing teachers left, right and centre".

"Out of the 12 people I trained with, only three of us are still in education," they said.

"I think a lot of teachers, we do it for the love of teaching and for the love of the kids but it is getting so difficult.

"Some of us think, actually, how long can we hold on?

"I'm currently running a department of one, which's just myself, I should have another teacher and a half.

"That then obviously falls on me in terms of making sure the kids get the education they deserve."

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "There are now record numbers of teachers in our schools - up by 27,000 since 2010 and teacher recruitment will see a further huge boost this academic year with £196m to attract more teachers across key subjects."