The North East of England is facing a deepening teacher shortage, with trainee numbers down by 56% over the past five years. But a surprising trend may offer hope: career changers over 40 are now the fastest-growing group entering the profession.
Education charity Now Teach says older professionals bring valuable life experience and resilience to the classroom. Former journalist Lucy Kellaway, who founded the charity after retraining at 58, argues that tapping into this demographic could be key to reversing the decline.
Local schools, however, still face recruitment challenges. In Ashington, headteacher Russ Atkinson says job adverts often attract few applicants, if any. Meanwhile, former teachers cite burnout, excessive workloads, and pressure from league tables as reasons for leaving.
Despite the hurdles, some career changers are finding renewed purpose in teaching. Amelia Joicey, who moved from museums to the classroom, says the switch was daunting but ultimately rewarding: “It’s full-on, but the kids are inspiring.”
As the government considers new strategies, the question remains: can mid-life recruits help fill the gap and reinvigorate the profession?
