English, maths and science vacancies filled by Canadian teachers

August 06 2010

The shortage of English, maths and science teachers in the UK has led to one institution looking overseas to fill vacancies, the Grimsby Telegraph reports.

Over 100 teachers currently working in Canada applied for positions at Tollbar Business and Enterprise College, with 18 of the candidates proving successful.

Chief executive David Hampson praised the overall standard of the applicants and labelled them among "the best newly-qualified teachers he has ever interviewed".

He told the publication: "In Canada the quality of teaching staff is particularly high as they are qualified to teach two subjects to sixth-form standard.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult to find teachers to fill positions in the maths, physics, chemistry and biology subjects, as well as English. The UK now has a severe shortage."

Some of the successful teachers will also fill posts at Cleethorpes Academy when it opens in the autumn.

A report by the Royal Society recently suggested that primary schools need to step up their efforts in recruiting specialist science and maths teachers in order to prevent youngsters switching off in the subject.

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