Current educational issues

Being aware of what's going on in the education sector and how this affects teachers is a great way of showing commitment at your teaching, early career teacher (ECT) or teacher training interview

It's not possible to predict all future educational issues, or know every detail of the sector's current situation, but in the process of applying for teacher training some research will go a long way in demonstrating your enthusiasm and impressing potential employers.

Why do I need to be aware of educational issues?

Recruiters are looking to see how much you're engaging with current issues and how aware you are of the challenges that these place on a school. Your answers to interview questions can reveal if you are genuinely interested in education, schools and the world of teaching.

Do some research to find studies or statistics to back up any ideas you have. Download a news app and get into the habit of checking the education section regularly. Having some recent evidence you can refer to in your interview will impress your interviewer.

You don't need to know everything, as there are far too many issues to discuss at length in such a short space of time. Aim to be knowledgeable in three areas, particularly those that relate to your curriculum area or age range.

What are some examples of educational issues?

Teacher shortages

Schools are struggling to attract and retain teachers with high workloads, administrative burdens, and inadequate pay being cited as some of the reasons. It is particularly difficult to recruit in subjects like science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and modern languages. This shortage affects classroom sizes and individual attention for students, worsening inequalities in achievement. New government funding strategies, including incentives and training programmes, are underway, but these efforts face criticism for being insufficient in addressing the root causes of teacher turnover.

Curriculum relevance

Debate continues over the curriculum's relevance, with calls for it to better prepare students for modern life, including a greater emphasis on digital and financial literacy, and vocational skills. Additionally, the lack of flexibility in the curriculum can make it challenging to adapt to diverse learning needs.

Funding cuts

Schools are dealing with budget constraints across all areas, which affect resources, support staff, and extra-curricular activities, often impacting students’ learning experiences and opportunities.

Mental health concerns

There is a growing focus on student mental health, as schools report increasing levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among young people, made worse by academic pressures and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools are often the primary point of support, but many lack the resources, trained staff, and funding necessary to offer adequate mental health services, leaving some students without access to essential care.

Technology access

There is a digital divide as not all students have access to the technology and internet connectivity needed for online learning. As a result schools continue to face challenges in integrating technology effectively, which is critical as digital skills become increasingly essential.

Artificial intelligence (AI) use

When used correctly teachers can use AI to reduce their workload by marking pupils work, tracking attendance, analysing progress and lesson planning. While tools such as translation apps, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text programs support students with disabilities and those who speak different languages.

However, AI in education isn’t without challenges, such as ensuring data privacy, addressing potential biases in algorithms, and balancing the human element in teaching. There’s also the need for teachers to find time for training in these AI tools and for students to have clear rules and boundaries about what is acceptable.

How do I find out about the latest issues in education?

When you're researching facts to back up your answers, make sure you go to reliable sources. Not everything online is true, so good evidence - such as government statistics - is vital. Take a look at:

• BBC - Education
• The Guardian - Education
• GOV.UK - Education, training and skills
• TES
• The Independent
• The Glossary of Education Reform
• UK Parliament

How should I discuss educational issues in my teaching interview?

You may be asked a general question such as 'tell us about issues that you think are affecting education at the moment' or something more specific to your role such as 'what are the important developments in science education?' This may be a question you’re asked on the day or you could be asked to prepare a presentation in advance.

If you aren't asked a direct question about issues in education, it's still a good idea to refer to relevant topics in your group interview or at some time in the recruitment process.

Make sure that your answers are natural, not contrived and relate to the school or organisation that is interviewing you. It's worth finding out as much about the school as possible through your pre-visit, its website, prospectus, Ofsted reports and school development plan. Talk about solutions to some of the current challenges the school is facing, from your own knowledge and with examples of other practice you have seen.

It helps to get used to talking about issues in education with stakeholders, pupils, teachers, governors and parents. If you do this, you'll have more informed thoughts and opinions and a broader knowledge of the topics.

Relate your answers back to the classroom - start with, 'when I was in the classroom, I noticed…' or 'in the staffroom, I heard teachers talk about...'. Take a look at what other teaching interview questions you may be asked.

Find out more

• Take a look at life as a primary school teacher.
• Discover what it's like to be a secondary school teacher.