A staffing crisis in Essex's schools has prompted the county's education chiefs to beg ex-teachers to abandon their retirement and return to the classroom.

Across the county, more than 500 teaching vacancies have been advertised for the September term, and that number is continuing to grow.

The shortage is particularly acute in primary schools, while across the board, teachers of maths, science, technology and modern languages are in short supply.

But in a bid to tackle the crisis, Essex County Council has launched a campaign to lure former teachers back to the profession, and is inviting them to a conference in Harlow on Wednesday September 13.

John Parker, recruitment strategy manager for Essex County Council, said: "There are many talented teachers living locally who may want to come back to teaching now, or in the next few years. ''

However, Jerry Glazier, National Union of Teachers Essex representative, said that he was not surprised by the shortage.

"We have been predicting a staff shortage for the last four years," he said. "It is very much in the hands of Central Government who have refused to value and reward the teaching profession over the last 25 years."

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