A snapshot of the staffing crisis in London's schools suggests that many are keeping going only by using unqualified, temporary and overseas teachers.-

Primary posts

6.3% vacant 8% unqualified 10.2% overseas

A poll of 716 primary schools and 53 secondary schools showed more than one post in 10 was vacant.

The National Association of Head Teachers, which commissioned the work, said nearly 16% of posts were filled by people without qualified teacher status, while just over a fifth were filled by teachers from overseas.

Secondary posts

4.6% vacant 7.7% unqualified 10.3% overseas

The NAHT's general secretary, David Hart, said schools in the capital were now "dangerously dependent" on unqualified and temporary staff.

London members of the biggest teaching union, the NUT, are being balloted on possible industrial action for the second time this year over their cost of living allowance, which their union says goes nowhere near meeting the extra costs of working in the capital.

Special schools

12% vacant 9.5% unqualified 12.8% overseas

On Tuesday Professor Tim Brighouse, Birmingham's recently-retired chief education officer, was appointed the first London schools commissioner, part of his brief being to try to tackle the staffing issue across 33 boroughs.

'Challenging'

David Hart said: "The picture varies from borough to borough but the overall picture is of the nation's capital city in crisis."

He added: "Many London children live in highly challenging circumstances.

"They need and deserve the stability provided by a permanent and qualified teaching force.

"NAHT's report is a challenge to the government, the minister for London and to the new London commissioner."

Figures disputed

In a statement, the Department for Education said: "What the government has already done to help bring more teachers to the capital has produced results.

"The latest vacancy rate for full-time teacher vacancies in maintained schools in London is 2.7%, a fall from 3.5% the previous year."

In January 2002 there had been just over 2,000 teachers without qualified status in primary and nursery schools in London, including overseas-trained teachers - which was "roughly" 6.5%, not more than 18% as the NAHT alleged.

The NAHT poll suggested that nearly one in four primary and more than one in five secondary posts were not filled by fully qualified, British-trained teachers on permanent contracts.

In the case of "unfilled" posts, the union includes those currently occupied by temporary and supply staff.

At primary level, 6.3% of posts in inner and outer London were unfilled, 8% were occupied by unqualified teachers and 10.2% by people who trained abroad.

At secondary level, 4.6% of posts were empty, 7.7% were filled by unqualified people and 10.3% by teachers from overseas.

The NAHT also polled 57 special schools, which reported almost 12% of posts were vacant, 9.5% filled by unqualified teachers and 12.8% by foreign-trained staff.