FURTHER concerns about staff shortages emerged this week as teacher vacancies throughout the county were recorded to be at their highest.

The news follows an alarming survey conducted across all 560 of the county's schools, published this week, which highlighted an increase in the number of staff shortages in key subjects.

Parental concerns erupted towards the end of last term (2001), when national statistics listed Hertfordshire County Council as the third LEA nationwide, to be experiencing serious difficulties in the recruitment of teachers.

The recent survey recorded a disturbing 310 teacher vacancies at the start of the spring term, which is 49 more vacancies than that recorded at the end of the previous academic term.

However, the county council is keen to reassure all parents that recent results need not lead to further concern, as statistics were collated over a period in which recruitment on a nationwide scale were said to be at an all time low.

The county council was also keen to point out that while figures compare unfavourably with those recorded in September 2001, they are an improvement on that of the start of last year.

Head of recruitment for children, schools and families Mr Stephen Lavender said: "Vacancy figures are lower this January than last because of the concerted efforts of schools and the recruitment team to bring in and retain high quality staff."

"Our popular Returners Club for former teachers thinking about coming back into the profession is being extended and we are developing training programmes for the overseas trained teachers working in schools.

"The launch of our new interactive CV and vacancy matching website in spring should cut down on schools' advertising costs and help them to fill vacant posts more quickly."

In light of the recent findings, executive member for children, schools and families Mr Robert Gordon said: "I must commend Hertfordshire's schools and our recruitment unit for the strenuous efforts they are making to protect the quality of education for our children, despite continuing crisis in recruitment and retention of teachers.

"The excellence of Hertfordshire's schools rests on the skills and professionalism of our teachers but, with around 300 vacancies, we face a serious problem."

Anyone interested in returning to teaching or in training as a teacher, can obtain further information from by contacting Hertfordshire County Council's recruitment team on 01582 830351.