Threat of teacher shortage

Schools in London face a staffing crisis as thousands of teachers could lose their right to work in state education.

Laws coming into force this autumn mean schools will no longer be able to employ foreign teachers unless they have gained clearance to teach in Britain.

Professor Peter Earley and Sara Bubb of London University's Institute of Education said more than 11,000 teachers in the capital may not have gained British qualified teacher status on top of their original qualifications, as is required from 31 August. There are 69,200 teachers in London state schools with 57,773 registered at the General Teaching Council for England.

Professor Earley said: "That is a matter of concern because it looks as if a sixth of the workforce aren't registered, presumably because they aren't qualified."

The problem has been caused by the Government's decision to crack down on the number of unqualified " instructors" who have swelled the size of the teaching force for years.

Many of these are very experienced but may lack the subject and teaching methodology expertise which holders of the qualification possess. Professor Earley's report indicated some low-achieving secondary schools would probably be hit hardest as they were less likely to have qualified subject specialists.