The rising number of pupils and the shortage in numbers of teachers across the country could combine to a 'perfect storm' for schools across England in years to come, according to a head teacher who was addressing the Conservative party conference. 

Allan Foulds of Cheltenham Bournside School told attendees that unless more is done to bring teachers on board in schools, helping to cope with demand along the way, then the UK will face a reality where the education of youngsters is at risk. 

Mr Foulds, who is president of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said that the system at present is "near breaking point".

Education secretary Nicky Morgan replied by saying she recognised the challenge ahead. Ms Morgan said that the government wants all schools across the UK to be able to hire the high quality of teachers that they need to help raise standards. 

The goal for the government is to make sure all schools are "able to recruit high quality teachers who can deliver our vision of educational excellence everywhere, which is why we are focused on attracting more top graduates into the profession".

She went on to say that the reality may not also be as bleak as many people think at the moment, with the government figures showing that there are more people in teacher training courses at the moment than there have been at other points in recent years. 

She said teaching remained popular as a career, "with the highest numbers of people joining since 2008 and with three per cent more people due to start postgraduate teacher training than this time last year".

The education secretary did concede, however, that there are challenges that need to be addressed, and said that as the economy continues to improve, it will be important that the number of teachers in the sector grows.