The shortage of specialist teachers is likely to have "a real impact on children's chances in life"

Labour warned tonight that the use of non-expert teachers - those not qualified in a subject above A level - holding back students in schools across the country

Bridget Phillipson, shadow education secretary, blamed the staffing crisis on workload (

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The recruitment crisis in schools has led to a shortage of specialist teachers which risks holding back pupils and having "a real impact on their chances in life", warns Labour.

Government figures reveal a dramatic increase in the use of non-expert teachers - those not qualified in a subject above A level.

Up to one in four physics lessons and one in 10 math lessons are now taught by these staff.

Schools are also struggling to recruit staff for creative subjects such as art, music and drama. And the number of teachers specializing in design and technology has almost halved over the past decade.

The use of non-expert teachers in our classrooms is on the rise (

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Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson blamed the staffing crisis on workload, teachers not feeling valued and the profession not attracting graduates.

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She said: "School leaders really struggle to recruit specialist teachers. They often tell me how they are going to advertise themselves and sometimes they don't get a single application.

"[These shortages] are holding children back and having a real impact on their chances in life.

"Parents want their children to receive a complete education and to be able to enjoy music, sports and art.

“Yet increasingly, in public schools, children are not being taught these subjects by specialists. This has been routinely denied due to the Conservative recruitment and retention crisis.”

Ms Phillipson added that the crisis is a derision