AI promised to solve the teacher shortage. Schools are still waiting.
Ministers say technology can ease recruitment pressure. Head teachers say they still cannot find a physics teacher.
By Wistl Editorial · · Schools
England missed its secondary teacher training targets in physics, maths and computing for the fifth consecutive year in 2024 to 2025. The shortfall in physics alone exceeded 70 per cent of the funded training target, according to data from the Department for Education's initial teacher training census. The government's response has been to frame AI as part of the solution. Its delivery plan for 6,500 additional teachers lists funded initiatives to drive AI adoption in schools as a mechanism to tackle workload and support retention. Teachers who use AI weekly, according to research by Gallup an