Overseas teachers brought into Essex to plug classroom gaps are already packing their bags, education chiefs have admitted.

Iris Pummell, Essex County Council's cabinet member for education and learning services, said headteachers were already reporting staff quitting.

One un-named school has already lost three foreign recruits since September.

Mrs Pummell said 200 new overseas teachers had arrived in Essex, the majority from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

She said: "We expect that most of them will enjoy just a brief teaching career here as part of their professional development. Indeed, some of them have already returned home."

Staff and education bosses had warned throughout the summer that, although vacancies were being filled by overseas staff, there was no guarantee they would stay.

In an effort to combat this, acclimatisation sessions were held in Basildon and Harlow for foreign recruits coming to the county.

This included running through the basic structure and demands of the National Curriculum, as well as seeking to soothe worries and concerns.

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