While the rest of London faces up to a possible shortage of more than 800 teachers, Harrow is 'confident' it will have a full house for when terms starts in less than a month.

Only 11 teaching posts were unfilled throughout the borough at the end of the academic year four in secondary schools, three in primary and four in special schools.

A little over two months ago, education officials were looking at approximately 49 vacancies in primary schools and 27 at secondary level although the council revealed at the time that there were little difference between this year's figures and those of the same time last year.

But the battle to attract more staff to the area has continued, especially newly qualified teachers (NQTs).

Most of the country's difficulties in retaining and recruiting teachers surrounds the low morale in the profession.

Union leaders claim that in London the low pay and high cost of living has led many teachers to switch careers in droves and deterred graduates.

A council spokeswoman revealed this week that a recruitment and retention strategy is behind Harrow's fight to fill empty posts.

Initiatives included a recruitment fair, offering a high quality induction for new staff and greater opportunities for development.

Schools are also encouraged to pool their information about staff to see if they can help each other out. Individual schools are also offering NQTs the chance to start working in June or July, instead of September.

"The LEA has placed adverts in the national press and on the Teachers for London website advertising teaching vacancies in London, which Harrow's LEA helped to set up," the spokeswoman said.

Education authority bosses are also bidding for government money set aside to provide affordable housing for teachers and nurses.

The authority is also participating in research by the University of North London into why teachers stay in their jobs. "It is hoped we can learn from this and retain teachers," said the spokeswoman.