Which Teachers Are in Highest Demand in 2025? Shortage Subjects, Pay, and Career Paths

If you’re asking which teachers are in highest demand, you’re probably weighing a move that actually lands a job quickly and pays fairly. Short answer: secondary STEM (maths, physics, computing), SEND (special educational needs), Design & Technology, and Modern Foreign Languages top the list in the UK right now. FE/vocational subjects and English as a Second Language stay strong too-especially if you’re open to travel. I live in Birmingham and see this play out every term: schools post the same roles again and again, interviews come fast, and good candidates have options.

• TL;DR
• UK’s biggest gaps: secondary maths, physics, computing; SEND; Design & Technology; Modern Foreign Languages. FE/vocational and ESL are also hot.
• Why: fierce competition with industry for STEM talent, rising SEND needs, and a limited pipeline of subject specialists.
• Fastest path: PGCE with QTS (or assessment-only if eligible), plus SKE for subject gaps; NASENCO for SEND; PGCE (FE) for colleges; TEFL/celtyl variants for ESL.
• Pay: England starting salaries hover around the £30k mark, with London weightings and TLRs for responsibilities. Shortage subjects often get quicker interviews and better progression.
• Where: high demand across the Midlands, North, and many coastal/inner-city areas; internationally, ESL and STEM remain reliable.

Who’s in highest demand right now (2025)?

Schools don’t all chase the same hires. But across job boards and vacancy lists, a clear pattern repeats. The roles below are what headteachers tell me they struggle to fill, what I see advertised for months, and what official data has shown for years.

• Secondary Mathematics - The perennial shortage. Strong grads often head to finance or data roles, leaving schools short. Expect quick responses to applications if you’ve got solid subject knowledge.
• Physics (and broader sciences) - Physics is the toughest of the sciences to fill. Chemistry is also in demand. Biology is steadier but still healthy.
• Computing/Computer Science - Tech salaries lure people away, so schools compete for the ones who stay. If you can teach GCSE and A-level programming confidently, you’ll be popular.
• Design & Technology (including Engineering, Product Design, Food) - Workshop skills plus curriculum know-how are rare. If you’re industry-trained, you’re gold dust.
• SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) - Growing need, rising complexity. Mainstream inclusion roles and specialist settings both need calm, trained professionals.
• Modern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish, German) - Many schools still push strong language provision, but qualified MFL teachers are thinner on the ground-especially outside major cities.
• FE/Vocational (Construction, Engineering, Health & Social Care, Digital) - Colleges need people who can teach real-world skills. Industry experience can outweigh traditional school experience here.
• ESL/TEFL (UK and abroad) - Language schools and international schools continue to hire. If you’re mobile, Asia and the Middle East are steady markets; Europe also sees seasonal demand.

If you’re in primary: demand is spiky. Some regions are saturated; others recruit heavily, especially schools looking for teachers who can lead phonics, SEND, or maths. Supply/cover agencies also snap up flexible teachers.

Data points worth trusting: the Department for Education’s School Workforce Census and Initial Teacher Training figures in England have long shown persistent shortages in maths, physics, and computing. Teacher vacancy tracking and industry job boards echo this. Globally, UNESCO has warned about ongoing teacher shortages, and labour outlooks (like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) flag sustained need in special education and STEM. You don’t need to memorise the reports; you see it in the adverts.

Why these roles are short: the forces behind demand

It’s not random. A few forces keep these subjects in the red.

• Industry pull - STEM graduates can earn more, sooner, in tech, finance, or engineering. That shrinks the pool for schools.
• Pipeline bottlenecks - Fewer trainees in maths, physics, and computing hit recruitment targets. When the training pipeline narrows, vacancies linger.
• Complex needs rising - More diagnosed SEND and post-pandemic needs increase the demand for specialists who can support and lead provision.
• Geography matters - Inner-city, coastal, and rural schools often recruit all year. If you’re flexible on location, you’ll get offers faster.
• Curriculum pressure - GCSE and A-level exam demands make specialist teachers non-negotiable-especially in maths and science.
• FE and the skills agenda - Governments push skills, apprenticeships, and retraining. Colleges need teachers with current industry skills in construction, engineering, health, and digital.
• Global English demand - ESL remains a gateway for travel and quick entry into classrooms abroad. Economic cycles shift countries up and down, but the base demand persists.

Put simply: roles that need deep subject expertise or specialist training (like workshop safety or SEND diagnostics) have fewer ready candidates, so schools hire quickly when they find them.

How to become the teacher schools are chasing

Here’s a simple path by route. I’m using England-focused terms (because that’s my patch in Birmingham), with notes for other routes.

Secondary shortage subjects (Maths, Physics, Computing, D&T, MFL)

1. Audit your subject knowledge - List the GCSE and A-level specs (topics, practicals, programming units). Note any gaps honestly.
2. Choose your route - PGCE with QTS via university or SCITT; salaried school-based routes exist but are competitive. If you already have substantial teaching experience, Assessment Only (AO) to QTS can be quicker.
3. Use SKE - Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses help you close gaps before or during training (common in maths, physics, computing, MFL, and D&T).
4. Secure classroom time - Volunteer or arrange school experience. Bring a short, clear mini-lesson you can adapt-think a 10-15 minute activity with a hinge question.
5. Apply widely, but smart - Look beyond your immediate postcode. Many roles sit in the Midlands, North, and coastal areas with relocation support.
6. Build a simple portfolio - Include lesson samples, assessment rubrics, and a short reflection on what worked. Two pages is fine.

SEND (special educational needs)

1. Start where you are - If you’re a TA or teacher already, gather evidence: EHCP support, differentiated plans, progress for pupils with ASD/ADHD/SEMH.
2. Qualify - For SENCO roles, the NASENCO award is the standard in England. Many schools sponsor it once you’re in post.
3. Demonstrate expertise - Learn simple frameworks (assess, plan, do, review), and get confident with reasonable adjustments and assistive tech.
4. Show calm leadership - SEND hires aren’t just about strategies; they’re about relationships and steady problem-solving.

FE/Vocational (Colleges and training providers)

1. Leverage industry - Your site experience, portfolio, and safety credentials matter. Don’t hide them. Bring photographs (with permissions) and outcomes.
2. Get the right badge - PGCE (FE/PCET) or Diploma in Education and Training. Many providers support you while you teach.
3. Align to standards - Show how your projects map to awarding body specs (BTEC, T Levels, City & Guilds).

ESL/TEFL

1. Pick a reputable certificate - CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL are recognised widely. For online or entry-level roles, a solid TEFL course helps.
2. Curate a simple teaching kit - Levelled reading passages, speaking prompts, and lesson plans for A2-B1 learners.
3. Be mobile - If you can move, you can work. Asia and the Middle East often offer visas and housing; Europe has seasonal surges.

Career-changers: fast track

1. Map your skills to the classroom - Data analysis → assessment; project management → schemes of work; client training → explanation and modelling.
2. Target shortage subjects first - A physics grad doing computing SKE is often hired sooner than a perfect-fit for a saturated subject.
3. Know your acronyms, but keep it human - QTS, PGCE, SKE, NASENCO-fine. But your interview wins on clarity, warmth, and solid subject talk.

Pay, perks, and hotspots in 2025

Money isn’t everything, but it shapes choices. In England, starting salaries sit around the £30k mark, with London weightings taking it higher. TLR payments add for responsibilities (think Head of Year, Subject Lead). Shortage subjects aren’t always paid more at entry, but they often move faster into responsibility posts. FE can match or beat pay for the right vocational areas, especially with industry scarcity. Internationally, packages vary widely-housing and flights can shift the equation.

A few practical notes:

• London weighting lifts pay, but so do responsibilities and hard-to-staff locations.
• Bursaries and scholarships shift year to year, especially in STEM and MFL. Check the latest ITT funding guidance from the Department for Education.
• International schools often offer tax-friendly packages, housing, and flights-especially in the Middle East and parts of Asia.

Examples, checklists, and pro tips

Real scenarios

• STEM grad, no experience: You study physics, run a coding club, and tutor GCSE maths. You apply for a PGCE in physics, take an SKE in computing, and tell schools you’re happy to teach both. Interviews come fast because you cover two shortage areas.
• Design engineer, 30s, career change: You gather a portfolio of prototypes, risk assessments, and a simple scheme of work. You visit a local D&T department, learn their machinery list, and get a reference from a head of department. You start training with college workshop hours under your belt-schools love the realism you bring.
• Primary teacher eyeing SEND lead: You collect data on a pupil’s progress with your interventions, read up on graduated response, and shadow the SENCO on meetings. You apply for an internal TLR and the school funds NASENCO in-year.
• FE switch from construction site: You use your site supervisor experience to map a safety unit against the awarding body’s learning outcomes. You show before/after evidence of a trainee improving. The college hires you and supports your PGCE (FE).
• ESL with travel goals: You complete a CELTA, build three strong lesson plans (A2, B1, Business English), and shortlist cities where schools sponsor visas. You land a role within two months, housing included.

Quick checklists

Application pack (one afternoon, no fluff)

• Two-page CV: subjects, levels taught/tutored, any exam specs.
• Short cover letter: why this school, how your subject lifts results, one good anecdote.
• Portfolio links: a lesson plan, a worksheet, a short reflection (what you’d change next time).
• References ready: someone who saw you teach or lead training.

Interview day “grab bag”

• Printouts of your lesson plan and seating plan.
• One hinge question for the mid-lesson check.
• Extension task for fast finishers.
• A calm line for behaviour: “I’ll pause. You’ll get it back.”

Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) fit test

• Can you sketch the GCSE spec from memory? If not, SKE.
• Can you teach foundational misconceptions clearly? If not, SKE.
• Are you switching from a related degree (e.g., engineering to physics)? Probably SKE.

SEND starter pack

• Know the graduated response: assess, plan, do, review.
• Have 3-4 practical adjustments you can explain (visual schedules, chunked tasks, voice-to-text, movement breaks).
• Keep brief case notes that show impact, not just effort.

Pro tips

• Two shortage strings beat one: physics + computing, maths + further maths, MFL double language. Schools love flexibility.
• Bring evidence, not adjectives. A tight example of how a pupil improved beats “I’m passionate.”
• Get real classroom time. Even a few mornings of observation gives you language for interviews.
• If you’re mid-career, don’t hide your age. Schools often want grown-ups who stay steady when it’s busy.
• Map your skills to responsibilities early-form tutor, club lead, Key Stage coordinator-so you snag TLRs sooner.

What credible sources say (no jargon)

When you see a claim here, it tracks with the Department for Education’s School Workforce Census and ITT data in England, long-running shortages in maths/physics/computing reported by government and sector bodies, mainstream job board trends (think national vacancy services and education press listings), global teacher needs highlighted by UNESCO, and special education and STEM outlooks in labour reports like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The numbers update, but the pattern doesn’t wobble much: STEM, SEND, D&T, and MFL are the heavy hitters.

Mini-FAQ

Are PE or history in demand? Usually not compared to STEM or SEND. You’ll face more competition unless you add another string (e.g., PE + science, history + citizenship/PSHE).

Can I teach without QTS? In England state schools, QTS is the standard. Some academies/free schools have flexibility; FE and independent schools can differ. Long-term, QTS opens more doors.

I don’t have a physics degree. Can I still teach it? Possibly. Related degrees (engineering, maths) plus SKE and strong subject audit can work. Be honest about gaps and how you’re closing them.

Is AI going to replace computing teachers? No. If anything, it raises the bar for digital literacy and responsible use. You’ll teach thinking, not just tools.

Can overseas-trained teachers work in England? Yes. There are routes to recognition and QTS for many countries, plus international QTS options. Check the latest DfE guidance.

Is primary oversubscribed? Often in big cities, less so in some coastal and regional areas. Phonics, SEND, and maths leadership make you stand out.

Next steps and troubleshooting

If you’re a STEM grad (0-3 years out):

• Book classroom observation this month.
• Apply to PGCEs in maths or physics; add SKE if needed.
• Offer to run a coding or maths club during your placement.

If you’re switching from industry (engineering, IT, construction):

• Pull together a portfolio (projects, safety work, training sessions you’ve run).
• Speak to a local school or college to shadow for a day.
• Target D&T, computing, or FE-your real-world edge counts.

If you’re already a teacher aiming for SEND leadership:

• Gather impact evidence from two pupils with different needs.
• Shadow your SENCO; learn the paperwork flow.
• Ask about NASENCO funding tied to a new TLR.

If you want to work abroad (ESL or international schools):

• Get CELTA/CertTESOL or make sure you hold QTS for better schools.
• Shortlist countries that sponsor visas easily for your passport.
• Compare full packages, not just base pay (housing, flights, insurance).

If your applications go unread:

• Switch to shortage subjects where you’re close to ready.
• Rewrite your cover letter with one concrete impact story.
• Apply two postcodes wider; ring the school’s PA and ask about priorities.

Final thought from the West Midlands: If you can teach hard stuff plainly and stay steady when 9C is lively, you’ll always be in work. That’s doubly true in STEM, SEND, D&T, and languages. Put your effort where the market is loudest, and you’ll feel the tailwind within weeks.

And yes, if you only remember one phrase today, remember this: schools hire highest demand teachers first. Make yourself one of them.