THE high cost of buying or renting accommodation in the district has meant Roundwood Park School in Harpenden has had to more than triple its advertising budget to attract young teachers.

Headteacher Andy Cunningham said: "We are very nearly fully staffed this year for September but it has not been an easy job to find teachers.

"It is very clear good young teachers are reluctant to apply for posts in the area because of the high cost of living."

The school began with an advertising budget of £7,000 between 2000 and 2001. This had to be increased to £20,000 before 2002 and raised again to £22,950 for this year.

Mr Cunningham said: "Our turnover of teachers this year has been lower than last year and it has made it a bit easier for us to find new people but we are still receiving very few applicants for any job and in some cases we have had to advertise three times before we have attracted anybody.

"We are now routinely carrying out interviews on the phone and appointing people from abroad.

"We are also establishing ourselves as a centre for graduates who wish to enter the profession and train whilst working rather than go through the postgraduate training route."

June 19, 2002 15:30