Teacher recruitment continues to dominate the education agenda. However, for many trusts, the deeper challenge is not simply attracting talent, but developing and retaining it. 

With one in three teachers leaving the profession within five years, schools are under increasing pressure to build sustainable workforce strategies that go beyond short-term hiring. Increasingly, trusts are recognising that the answer lies within their own organisations. 

This session explores how a ‘grow your own’ approach – rooted in high-quality, sustained professional development – can help trusts strengthen recruitment, improve retention and build long-term capacity across their schools.

Drawing on insights from 91¶¶Òõ Institute’s latest research and the experiences of trust leaders, the discussion examines how leading organisations are embedding professional development as a strategic priority, rather than a standalone initiative. 

The session explores:

• Why professional development is emerging as a key driver of both recruitment and retention
• What it takes to build a coherent, trust-wide approach to developing teaching talent
• How trusts can balance central strategy with school-level autonomy
• Practical steps to move from insight to implementation

Grounded in real-world experience, this session provides school and trust leaders with a clear, practical perspective on how to build a more sustainable and resilient teaching workforce.