Public First supported Teach First with the research behind their new report “Tomorrow’s teachers: A roadmap to get Gen Z into the classroom”

The research found that a significant pool of Gen Z has initial interest in the teaching profession and think teaching has purpose, but many desire a less linear career and would value professional experiences from different sectors:

• Three quarters (73%) said that teaching was a job that had purpose – the highest of the career options tested.
• Over three fifths (61%) of Gen Z would consider working as a teacher.
• Nearly half (47%) said they would enjoy teaching for a few years, but not their whole career.

Despite initial interest in a career in the classroom, teacher recruitment numbers continue to fall well short of what is required. In Teach First’s poll, Gen Z highlighted the downsides of teaching: they perceive it as stressful (42%), that the salary is poor (36%) and that schools lack funding (36%).

Polling Tables

Public First surveyed 3,031 16-24 year olds in England through an anonymous, online survey. Fieldwork was conducted from 21 May to 4 June 2024. All results are weighted using Iterative Proportional Fitting, or ‘Raking’. The results are weighted by interlocking age & gender, region, and ethnicity to Nationally Representative Proportions.

Public First is a member of the BPC and abides by its rules. For more information please contact the Public First polling team: polling@publicfirst.co.uk

Click to Download Tables