Tomorrow’s teachers: A roadmap to get Gen Z into the classroom

A unique opportunity to make teaching the ‘go to’ profession for graduates.

High-quality teaching is the best lever we have to ensure all pupils can thrive. We know firsthand the difference teachers can make by raising school standards, transforming pupil outcomes and breaking down barriers to opportunity. 

But for many graduates, teaching involves trade-offs. Salaries in England lag behind other graduate roles, and flexibility is also limited. On the other hand, teaching offers job security, good holidays, generous pensions, and deeply fulfilling work. 

This trade-off is no longer compelling to enough graduates. Recruitment is falling. The problem is felt most acutely in schools serving deprived communities where excellent teachers are needed most.

With a new Government in place, there is a rare opportunity to set a fresh agenda. That’s why we commissioned Public First to probe Gen Z’s attitudes to careers, particularly in teaching, through polling and focus groups.

We found a significant pool of Gen Z has initial interest in the teaching profession and think teaching has purpose, but many desire a less linear career and would value professional experiences from different sectors:   

• Three quarters (73%) said that teaching was a job that had purpose – the highest of the career options tested. 
• Over three fifths (61%) of Gen Z would consider working as a teacher.  
• Nearly half (47%) said they would enjoy teaching for a few years, but not their whole career.  

Teaching needs to keep pace with Gen Z motivations  

We believe more individuals would become teachers if changes were made to the profession that reflect the career priorities of Gen Z. These include a good work-life balance (56%), a high long-term salary (47%), the opportunity to learn and develop professionally (36%) and career advancement opportunities (32%). 

Tomorrow’s Teachers sets out a bold new vision for increasing flexibility in the way in which teachers are trained, supported and retained. It includes a comprehensive roadmap of the transformations needed to attract Gen Z, the next generation of teachers – including a new system of formal secondments for existing teachers to spend some time out of the classroom in other sectors, before returning with new skills, enthusiasm and energy.  

Other recommendations include:  

• Establishing a route to increase teacher and trainee teacher salaries to be in the top third of the graduate salary market by 2030. 
• Setting out a flexible working entitlement for every teacher.  
• Improving the conditions under which teachers are working by targeting funding towards schools supporting the highest levels of disadvantage and reducing workload.  

If the Government is to succeed in its Opportunity Mission, recruiting a new generation of 6,500 additional inspiring teachers is key. By making the necessary interventions outlined in this report, we have the power to deliver a new vision for the teaching profession. One which aligns it more closely with modern-day working practices, offers fresh appeal and speaks to the needs of both its potential recruits, and its beneficiaries.

Tomorrow’s teachers are waiting. And that wait must end today.