Commenting on the National Foundation for Educational Research
(NFER) study, published today (20 March), showing that teachers
work the longest hours, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary
of the National Education Union, said:
“This report confirms what we already know. Teacher workload is
unbearably high, it is driving the teacher recruitment crisis and
leading to unnecessary stress and in many cases an unacceptable
work-life balance. Teachers are used to spending time outside of
school preparing exciting lessons, but are now spending
unbearably long hours on tasks to satisfy the Government’s
obsession with data collection. This is driving many to despair.
“While we welcome the conclusions that teacher working hours are
too long and should be reduced, the working hours quoted in the
report are shorter than the DfE’s more recent workload survey
which show teachers in England work an average of 54 hours a
week, while school leaders work in excess of 60. Our own data on
attitudes is also completely contrary to the statement that
‘despite longer working hours and a background of falling
real-terms pay, teachers remain satisfied with their jobs and
incomes’. Given that the data presented is approaching three
years old, the NFER conclusions may actually paint too cheerful a
picture. The NEU’s annual survey on pay and progression found
that 80% of respondents said their pay was less or significantly
less than they thought it should be given their workload and
responsibilities. (1)
“We welcome the recent statements by the Education Secretary and
Ofsted that they are committed to addressing teacher workload. A
few concessions however are not enough. We do need to see real
concrete change to the working lives of teachers if we are to
attract and keep people in the profession. Failure to deliver on
this will be detrimental to our children and young people’s
education.”
ENDS
(1) NEU Pay Survey, January 2018:
https://neu.org.uk/latest/teachers%E2%80%99-pay-being-cut-due-lack-annual-pay-rises-and-performance-related-pay-progression
Note to editors:
â— The National Education Union stands up for the future of
education. It brings together the voices of more than 450,000
teachers, lecturers, support staff and leaders working in
maintained and independent schools and colleges across the UK, to
form the largest education union in Europe.
â— It is an independent, registered trade union and professional
association, representing its members in England, Wales, Northern
Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
â— The National Education Union is affiliated to the Trades Union
Congress (TUC), European Trade Union Committee for Education
(ETUCE) and Education International (EI). It is not affiliated to
any political party and seeks to work constructively with all the
main political parties.
