Missing Mothers
Missing Mothers: Breaking the cycle of teacher attrition
The New Britain Project, in collaboration with The MTPT Project, presents a groundbreaking report on the critical issue of teacher retention in the UK, with a focus on women in their thirties - the largest group leaving the profession each year.
As a progressive think tank dedicated to bridging the gap between politics, policy, and practice, we believe that frontline voices are essential in shaping effective government policies. Our "Missing Mothers" report brings this principle to life, offering insights and solutions directly from the experiences of teachers and school leaders.
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Key Findings:
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Women in their thirties, particularly mothers, are leaving teaching at an alarming rate
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Workload, lack of flexibility, and inadequate support for returning mothers are primary drivers
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The exodus of experienced teachers is creating a vicious cycle, impacting recruitment and retention
“We need to prioritise retention strategies to ensure that our recruitment efforts are not in vain. Addressing the root causes that drive teachers away, particularly women in their thirties, is essential to stabilising our education sector and fulfilling Labour’s recruitment pledge. Many of these measures are low-cost but high-impact, making them feasible even with the current financial constraints.
It's counterproductive to lose experienced teachers simply because some schools can't offer the basic flexibility now common in most other professions.”
Our Recommendations
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​Embracing flexibility as a solution, not a problem Schools must be supported to adopt a flexible working culture through dedicated, trained, and funded staff members, and robust data to share best practices.
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Comprehensive coaching for mothers returning to work Implement coaching for mothers during and post-maternity leave to support their transition back to work.
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Priority childcare places for teachers' children Schools should offer priority childcare to support teacher-parents, ensuring they can manage their dual roles effectively.
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Improved maternity leave pay for teachers The Burgundy Book should be updated to adopt equal and improved parental leave policies.
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Achieving gender equality in school leadership Aim for gender parity in leadership roles within education, encouraging more women to pursue these positions and supporting their career progression.
This report doesn't just highlight issues - it provides practical, actionable solutions that can make a real difference in our education system. By retaining our experienced teachers, particularly women in their thirties, we can break the cycle of poor retention and recruitment, ultimately benefiting our children's education.
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Join the Conversation: How can we better support teachers, especially mothers, in our schools? Share your thoughts and experiences using #MissingMothers
962 women responded to our survey: 383 who left teaching in the state sector in their thirties and 579 who are currently teaching in the state sector between the ages of 30-39.
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You can download the full survey results here:
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The MTPT Project completed the first iteration of this study in 2018 making a clear link between motherhood and teacher attrition amongst female teachers in their thirties.
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We spoke with 41 women for follow up in semi structured interviews for the purpose of this research.
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​It is important to note that while the survey provides a powerful indicator of former and current teachers’ views, it is not representative and should not be treated as such.
You can download the raw data and analysis in excel format for desktop here:
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