A major new national poll from Teaching Vacancies, surveying more than 7,000 teachers reveals that teachers in London say school culture and values (65%) are the single biggest factor teachers consider when choosing their next role – ahead of location (58%) and pay (56%).
With peak recruitment season under way, the findings highlight how important it is for schools to clearly set out their ethos and approach to staff wellbeing to attract top candidates. Teaching Vacancies, the government’s free recruitment platform for primary and secondary schools in England, supports this by enabling schools to highlight their culture and support offer, helping teachers find roles that match what matters most to them.
The research also revealed what else London teachers value most when choosing a school:
· 65% ranked school culture and values – including inclusivity, wellbeing and leadership style – as most important
· 58% select location as the next most important factor
· 56% look for a match or increase in pay
· Workload protections are especially important for Early Career Teachers nationally (43%)
These results underline that, alongside practical considerations such as pay and location, many teachers place importance on a school’s ethos and approach to wellbeing.
Supporting new entrants to the profession: new Personal Statement Builder
As part of ongoing support for those starting their teaching career, Teaching Vacancies is testing a new Personal Statement Builder designed to help candidates who are applying for their first Early Career Teacher role. This step-by-step online resource is designed to make writing personal statements simpler and help candidates present their strengths with confidence.
During this pilot, the builder offers:
Structured guidance and best-practice prompts to shape strong applications
Short videos from education professionals sharing practical tips
AI-powered suggestions to guide (not write) statements, ensuring authenticity
The builder is currently available for ECT-friendly vacancies on Teaching Vacancies. Insights will inform future improvements ahead of a wider rollout.
Michael Eggleton is Headteacher at Charles Dickens Primary School in Southwark. He shares:
“In London, competition for roles can feel intense, and many trainee teachers doubt themselves when it comes to applications. Writing a personal statement shouldn’t be a barrier to joining the profession or securing an ideal role. The Personal Statement Builder gives candidates a simple framework to express who they are as educators with real clarity. Combined with the high‑quality roles on Teaching Vacancies, it brings much‑needed confidence at a challenging time for recruitment.”
Dr Michael Harpham, former Principal Lecturer, London Metropolitan University in Islington shares:
“For trainee teachers, applying for that first post is when everything becomes real, and many aren’t sure how to present themselves. The Personal Statement Builder is such a valuable resource that effectively helps candidates reflect on their experience and explain it an engaging and meaningful way. Alongside Teaching Vacancies, which they trust for accurate and up‑to‑date roles, it ensures early career teachers feel well informed and supported as they step into the profession.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“Schools want to recruit the best teachers, and teachers want to work where they feel supported and valued. Teaching Vacancies and the new Personal Statement Builder make it easier for both schools and jobseekers to find the right fit, while helping schools save money on recruitment.”
If you are a teacher looking for your next role, or a school looking to recruit excellent staff and reduce costs, visit: https://teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk