In the British Journal of Educational Studies research  ‘What makes people teach, and why do they leave? Accountability, Performativity and Teacher Retention’  it notes that although teaching is still generally seen as a long-term career by the majority, between 40% and 50% consider leaving within 10 years of starting.

Accountability and performance are key factors. The sustainability of these pressures contributes significantly.

The authors say that ‘teacher attrition constitutes a problem for governments internationally’ and cite a 2002 report that 46% of teachers in USA leave within 5 years of starting. This appears to be the highest.

They suggest that performativity (performing in order to demonstrate competence) can lead to a sense of deprofessionalisation as teachers  and that schools are ‘increasingly preoccupied with policies of achievement, particularly examination results.’

Notably, lack of support from management by 38% of respondents sends a message to leadership.

The authors also offer some useful caveats, such as:

‘… there is the problem that response might be limited to only those who feel they have something to say, either positive or negative’.