BRADFORD district is struggling to attract the teaching staff it needs.

And those who have a choice would rather teach in neighbouring areas, a union chief claims.

He was speaking as Department for Education figures revealed the district is failing to bounce back to pre-pandemic attainment levels.

In 2023-24, 4,655 of 7,970 key stage two pupils – 58 per cent – in Bradford district met the expected standard for reading, writing and maths.

This was an increase from 57 per cent the year before, but was down from 63 per cent in 2018-19, before the pandemic.

Just 47 per cent of disadvantaged pupils met the required standards – down from 52 per cent five years ago.

Tom Bright, district branch secretary of the National Education Union, says: “Sadly, where teachers have a choice, they would opt to teach in neighbouring local authorities rather than in Bradford.

“To improve the educational outcomes for children in this district, we’ve got to get rid of the competitive market forces-style approach. At the moment, school A is trying to attract teachers from school B.

“That isn’t helping educational outcomes.

“Bradford district suffers more than neighbouring localities – not because there is anything wrong with Bradford, but due to its reputation.

"However the area has great access to the Pennines and to the Yorkshire Dales, and it's a relatively cheap place to live.”

Councillor Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, welcomed the rise in key stage two pupils meeting the expected standard.

She said: “It is always good to see improvement, but of course we have ambitions to do better.

“While the signs are encouraging, we want to speed up the improvement process and we continue to work to support our hard-working schools to make sure every child has access to the best possible education."

Across England, 61 per cent of pupils in key stage two were up to the requirements, slightly up from 60 per cent the previous year. However, attainment remained below pre-pandemic levels, when 65 per cent met the standard.

Meanwhile, 45 per cent of disadvantaged pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in the past academic year – down from 51 per cent in 2018-19.

School standards minister Catherine McKinnell said the Government was “committed to breaking down the barriers to opportunity” and is planning a “curriculum review”, which it hopes will improve standards.