Workforce

The latest news and analysis on the school workforce in the UK and at international schools, including teacher recruitment, retention and shortage subjects

Friday

7th Aug 2026

Most teachers to pay less into their pension under new plans
DfE launches consultation on cutting employee contribution rates for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme across most salary bands
Teacher pension contributions to fall

Thursday

30th Jul 2026

Only 7 in 10 teacher trainees employed in state schools
The proportion of postgraduate trainees working in state schools is lower than previous years, official data from 2024-25 cohort shows
How many postgraduate teacher trainees are working in state schools?

Monday

20th Jul 2026

Lucy Powell appointed as education secretary
She will replace Bridget Phillipson, who has been in the role since Labour came to power in July 2024
Portrait of Lucy Powell

Friday

10th Jul 2026

Heads’ union seeks pact with NEU as industrial tensions rise
Negotiations come amid growing industrial action by the teaching union, with school leaders telling Tes that disputes have left them feeling ‘distressed’ and ‘exploited’
Headteachers' leaders are in talks with the NEU teachers' union about local industrial disputes
Exclusive

Thursday

9th Jul 2026

Bridget Phillipson: Support body will end staff pay inequality
The education secretary writes for Tes to explain why she hopes new anti-bullying guidance and a negotiating body for support staff will have a real impact for all those in schools
Bridget Phillipson

Friday

26th Jun 2026

International teacher recruitment: where do teachers apply across the world?
More than 120,000 UK teachers applied for overseas posts in 2025. We reveal the destinations rising and falling in popularity
International teacher recruitment: where are teachers going across the world?

Thursday

25th Jun 2026

How schools survived the record-breaking heatwave
A quarter of schools closed early this week as the UK had its hottest June day on record – with leaders calling for urgent action to cool classrooms
Boy next to fan
Exclusive

Monday

22nd Jun 2026

Phillipson doing ‘bad job’ as education secretary, NEU members say
Biggest teaching union calls for ‘new leadership’ at the DfE, with members rating Bridget Phillipson even lower than Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister
Phillipson doing 'bad job' as education secretary, NEU members say

Friday

19th Jun 2026

Tes Schools Awards 2026 winners announced
This year’s awards, celebrating excellence and innovation across the sector, attracted a record number of nominations
Tes Schools award 2026

Thursday

18th Jun 2026

DfE proposes early years training shake-up
Government is consulting on two options for redesigning early years training so it leads to Qualified Teacher Status
An early years teacher reading to young children

Wednesday

17th Jun 2026

6,500 teacher goal ‘consistent’ with original pledge, Phillipson says
Education secretary faces questions from MPs over the government’s SEND plans, teacher recruitment and curriculum reform
Bridget Phillipson

Monday

15th Jun 2026

Enrichment benchmarks: no government commitment on funding for schools
The government’s long-awaited enrichment benchmarks for schools have finally been published, encompassing areas such as civic engagement, the arts, nature and sport
Children on a outdoor scavenger hunt