A statement to the STRB from ASCL, NAHT, NEU and Community,
representing the majority of teachers and school leaders in
England, calls for urgent, significant and fully funded movement
towards complete reversal of the real terms pay cuts for teachers
and school leaders since 2010.
Huge pay cuts against inflation for teachers and school leaders
have been much greater than for other comparable
professions. Pay cuts and excessive workload have driven a
recruitment and retention crisis in our schools. To repair
the damage to our education service, the Government must invest
properly in our teachers and school leaders.
Pepe Di'Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of
School and College Leaders, said: “Teacher shortages
have been a huge problem for many years and mean that schools and
colleges often have to use supply staff and non-subject
specialists to fill gaps. It is obvious that the solution must
involve setting pay at a level which is sufficient to attract and
retain staff, and to provide schools and colleges with the
funding necessary to afford those salaries. The present
government has made some steps in this direction but there is a
long way to go in addressing historic pay erosion under previous
administrations, and its decision to fund this year's staff pay
awards only partially has deepened financial pressures. It must
do better for education.”
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of school leaders' union
NAHT, said: “Great schools rely on great teachers and
leaders. All the government's ambitions – from improving
literacy, to tackling child poverty, to SEND inclusion – none of
them can be realised without skilled experienced professionals
showing up for pupils every day. The government must therefore
put equal focus on delivering this fundamental requirement by
investing in teachers and school leaders, reversing the real
terms pay erosion of the last government, and making teaching a
sustainable long-term career prospect for the best of the best to
want to enter and stay in.”
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said: “It is time for Labour to deliver
on its promise of change and invest properly in our education
service. A fully funded and major pay correction to reverse
the pay cuts is urgently needed to solve the recruitment and
retention crisis and properly value teachers and school
leaders”.
Helen Osgood, Director of Operations at Community Union,
said:: “Every day, teachers go above and beyond to
inspire our children. From mentoring new teachers to supporting
families, they give so much and they shouldn't have to worry
about paying the bills. It's time that their hard work was
properly recognised and that they're paid fairly for the
difference they make.”
