THERE are more teaching jobs vacant at Manchester schools at the start of this term than ever before.

Up to 40 schools have reported difficulty filling permanent teaching posts. So even more classes are being taught by supply teachers.

Although the number of new graduate teachers applying to work in the city has remained constant, chief education officer David Johnston says there is an increasing trend for staff to leave in their mid-twenties.

"Manchester traditionally has recruited successfully and we still recruit from our universities at a high level," he said.

"However this year has been the most difficult year we have known, and it's because of the turnover of teachers, particularly in their 20s. The greatest movement is in the 25-30 age group.

"For the first time some of our schools have been finding it difficult to recruit the quality we have been searching for. We can get new recruits, but not experienced professionals. The schools have filled these posts but they are using a lot of supply. It is a concern that is beginning to grow."

Mr Johnston says that the pay available to experienced teachers is a factor in recruitment, but he also says that there is a trend towards changing career patterns, with recruits choosing not to stay in the profession for their entire careers.

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