Publishing the results of UCAC's recruitment and retention survey

27 March 2017

Publishing the results of UCAC’s recruitment and retention survey

Following the publication of the results of a recruitment and retention survey of UCAC’s members, the union is calling on the Welsh Government to work strategically and immediately to reduce the excessive workload and extreme stress facing the profession.
 
“Excessive workload is having a serious effect on teachers. It places them under an unacceptable strain and affects their perception of teaching as a career,” says Elaine Edwards, UCAC’s General Secretary.
 
Over 450 members responded to the survey within a one week period and the results show that:
  • 70% of respondents have considered leaving the profession during the last 2 years
  • 54% are actively looking for posts outside of teaching
  • 30% have already started applying for posts outside of teaching
368 teachers responded to a question about how long they intended remaining within the profession. Only 31% intended to remain until retirement, 36% expect to leave within 2 – 5 years, 19% within 5 – 10 years.
 
“UCAC believes that the survey results provide a clear and accurate picture of the concerns of our members about the profession. The results reflect the desire of a significant percentage of teachers in Wales to see a reduction in workload in order to avoid having to take the difficult decision to leave the profession and change direction in their career,” says Elaine Edwards. “A significant number have already taken this decision”.
 
“UCAC believes that the profession is currently in crisis. Funding problems lead schools to make redundancies, which lead in turn to an even greater workload for those who remain; it is a time of great change. Education in Wales is going through a period of transformation and our practitioners (teachers and school leaders) are exhausted, suspicious of all the accountability systems, and are suffering from excessive strain which often affects their health. The ability to recruit and retain teachers in Wales is seriously threatened. UCAC calls on the Welsh Government to respond strategically to our concerns and find genuine ways to reduce workload significantly – for the sake of every teacher and every pupil”.
 
Fur futher information please contact Elaine Edwards on 01970 639 950 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.