CHILDREN at a Swindon primary school gripped by recruitment problems have made an urgent appeal for teachers.

During the past three years, Moredon Junior School has advertised three vacancies and had just five applicants.

One post, for a numeracy coordinator, advertised in January, received no applicants.

The crisis which has affected nearly all Swindon schools means the 10 existing teachers have to take on extra duties to ensure standards are maintained.

But across the borough, the teacher recruitment crisis has abated with the success rate for filling posts increased from 61 per cent in 2002 to 85 per cent last year.

But Moredon headteacher Lauren Connor said: "To have had just five applications in three years is horrendous.

"We are able to maintain standards, but it means staff have an increased workload.

"I have re-advertised the numeracy coordinator post to start in September, and have now had three applicants, which is still very low. It means I will have to take on the role until September."

In the past, Ms Connor has also had to teach maths, special needs, religious education and personal, social and health education.

No one applied for a post of class teacher advertised recently.

When a teaching graduate called for information, Ms Connor managed to persuade them to apply.

Just two applicants applied for a literacy coordinator post.

Ms Connor is baffled as to why the school is struggling for staff.

Although Moredon has faced difficulties in the past it was close to being placed into special measures in 2001 significant improvements have been made recently.

An Ofsted report in January said teaching and discipline were good, and pupils were keen to learn.

Ms Connor said: "This is a fantastic school and the pupils are beautifully behaved, with a real enthusiasm for learning."

Pupils are also puzzled as to why no one wants to teach them.

Hayley Bignell, 10, said: "Our teachers are really helpful and explain things well, and the children are nice.

"There's lots of colour in the school and that makes you happy.

"If a teacher wanted to come and work here, there's also healthy food in the tuck shop, like apples and yoghurts."

Yara Zakhour, 10, added: "If you ever have a problem you can talk to the teachers straight away without being embarrassed, and it gets sorted immediately."

A Swindon council spokeswoman said teacher applications across the borough were up with primary schools last year, receiving an average of nine per post advertised against six the previous year.

The number of teaching vacancies between January and now was 28 primary, 44 secondary and two in special schools.

Last year for the same period there was a shortage of 46 primary, 52 secondary and four special school teachers.

Tamash Lal