Research Lab November 2023 - Sian Miles Teachers' Digital Identities

Presentation by Sian Miles to the FoE ResearchLab in November 2023.

Abstract:

With almost 22,000 newly qualified teachers entering the school workforce in 2022/23 (DfE, 2023) and schools in England spending up to £75 million each year on advertising teaching vacancies (DfE, 2019), it is prudent to explore recruitment practices and behaviours with a view to improving the chances for ECT applicants whilst also providing some reassurances for employers. Furthermore, record numbers of teachers are leaving the profession for reasons other than retirement (Smith, 2023). A focus on recruitment behaviours, has the potential to improve the match of applicant to school, leading to increased job satisfaction and hence retention to the profession.

The recent addition to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) (DfE 2022; DfE 2023) advising that online searches are carried out as part of the shortlisting process presents potential dilemmas to employers and concern to applicants. Therefore, it is intended that this study will inform guidance at a local level and be disseminated to wider stakeholders. Whilst it is recognised that additional guidance for employers and applicants could emerge at some point, the exploration of behaviours within this study will provide a deeper insight into the phenomenon and complement any practical guidance provided in the future for example by teaching unions or the DfE.