07-05-2025
One in ten schools in poor areas do not offer physics A-Level due to teacher recruitment crisis - amid warnings of 'deepening inequality for a generation'
One in ten schools in poor areas do not offer physics A-Level due to teacher shortages, amid warnings of 'deepening inequality for a generation'.
New research from the Teach First charity shows nine per cent of schools in disadvantaged areas have dropped physics, while 31 per cent have dropped computer science.
In comparison, just one per cent of schools in wealthy areas do not offer physics, and only 11 per cent do not have computer science.
It means disadvantaged pupils may be less likely to study these subjects than their wealthier peers, shutting them off from lucrative careers in science and technology.
The study comes amid a deepening teacher recruitment crisis, as the Government tries to fulfil its pledge of 6,500 new teachers.
Campaigners say pay and conditions need to improve in the sector to attract more trainees.
Belinda Chapple, headteacher of Caterham High School, said: 'Across the country, schools like mine are making difficult choices because of the national staffing shortages in key subjects.
'We've struggled to recruit computer science teachers, like many other schools, removing a key career pathway for our A-Level students.
'We urgently need increased funding for disadvantaged schools, increased teacher pay and additional pay premiums to attract subject experts to the schools that need them most—otherwise, we risk narrowing futures and deepening inequality for a generation.'
The research was carried out by survey service Teacher Tapp, with 1,319 senior school leaders taking part.
It also showed 23 per cent of schools in the poorest areas do not offer French A-level and a 17 per cent do not offer Spanish, compared to just 3 per cent and 6 per cent respectively in wealthier schools.
And 17 per cent of schools in the poorest areas said they do not offer music A-level, over triple the rate in the most affluent – 5 per cent.
In addition, across all schools, 17 per cent said they lack a computer science teacher who completed their training in that subject.
With around 3,500 secondary schools in the country, this means roughly 600 schools are without a trained computer science teacher.
Russell Hobby, chief executive of Teach First, said: 'Too many young people are being locked out of studying A-Levels like computer science because there simply aren't enough trained teachers.
'This blocks pupils from poorer areas from some of the best-paid careers in a fast-growing tech and AI-driven economy.
'If we do not act now, we won't just fail these young people — we'll hold our country back.
'The government must act in the Spending Review: raise teacher pay, support those teaching in the schools and subjects that need them most, and make sure every pupil has access to the opportunities they deserve.'
It comes after the National Audit Office (NAO) warned the pledge for 6,500 new teachers from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson might not fix the shortage.
In a report the NAO said it is 'not clear' whether the pledge will solve the problem as there is currently no 'delivery plan'.
It said Government projections for future teacher shortfalls do not take into account 'existing shortages'.
In addition, the Department for Education (DfE) has admitted delivering the 6,500 pledge will be a 'significant challenge'.
The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.
