Disadvantaged pupils more likely to have unqualified teachers

According to a report by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) committee, poor pupils are twice as likely to be taught by teachers who are unqualified, than their better off peers.

The research examined the incidence of inequality in education and found four per cent of teachers in the most deprived primary schools did not specialise in the subject they taught, compared to two per cent in more affluent areas.

It outlined that nine per cent of teachers in secondary schools serving poorer areas were unqualified, compared to five per cent in richer areas.

The study was conducted by Education Datalab and found that schools in disadvantaged areas had a higher rate of teacher turnover. It warned that teacher recruitment and retention had worsened since the data was first compiled.

The news followed similar research by the Institute of Education which identified that the most highly qualified teachers were more attracted to schools serving the wealthiest and highest-attaining pupils.

In its report, the SMF recommended the use of pay incentives and increased support to inexperienced teachers to redistribute more experienced teachers to more deprived schools.

Nick Clegg, chair of the commission, said: “This new research suggests that poor pupils are facing a ‘cocktail of disadvantage’ – they’re more likely to have unqualified teachers, non-specialist teachers, less experienced teachers, and to have a high turnover of teachers.”