The latest National Education Union survey on teacher pay
and progression underlines the problems caused by low teacher pay
levels and unfair restrictions on pay progression. With
serious teacher recruitment and retention problems continuing,
the NEU survey shows that two-thirds (63%) of teachers have
considered leaving the profession because of concerns on
pay. Well over half of teachers (58%) report that they are
underpaid compared to other graduate professionals.
With over 25,000 members responding, the NEU’s survey is
the largest on teachers’ pay increases and pay
progression.
Leaving the profession
We gave respondents two statements to consider:
- “Poor levels of
pay have sometimes made me think about switching to a different
career”
- “The unfairness
of performance pay progression has sometimes made me think about
leaving the profession”
Two thirds (63%) agreed with one or both of these
statements. A quarter of respondents (24%) agreed with the
first statement, a further 15% with the second and 24% agreed
with both.
Half of school leaders (50%) responded to one or both
statements, with 20% agreeing with the first, 11% with the second
and 19% with both.
Feeling underpaid and undervalued
Our survey also shows that 58% of teachers feel they are
underpaid compared to other graduate professionals.
• 48% agreed with
the statement “My current pay is less than I would expect to be
paid given my job weight, role and
responsibilities”.
• A further 10%
believed they were paid “significantly less” than they should
be.
Cost of living increase
At a time when we need to ensure that all teachers see
their pay improved against inflation, a significant number of
teachers do not get any cost-of-living award or get less than the
general uplift. When asked about their cost-of-living pay
increase for September 2019:
• 10% of
respondents told us they had received no cost-of-living increase
in 2019, while 39% still did not know whether they would get one
or not. Only 49% said that they had received a 2.75%
increase in line with the School Teachers’ Review Body Government
recommendations. The remaining 2% of respondents received an
increase, but not at the recommended level.
• Major
equalities issues remain, with women less likely to receive a
cost-of-living increase.
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the
National Education Union, said:
“Our findings demonstrate that low pay, denial of pay rises
and an unfair progression system are obstacles to solving the
teacher retention crisis. Pay is becoming more and more
uncertain at a time when pupil numbers are rising, workload
remains high, and the real-terms funding of schools is
tightening. This will not make the profession
attractive or ensure teachers stay in the profession.
“Our survey shows that teachers continue to be
short-changed by the Government’s alterations to the pay
structure. Teachers need higher pay and more certainty
about pay progression to encourage them to join and stay in
teaching.
“We call on the Government to acknowledge this further
evidence. Our survey provides yet more evidence to support
our case for a 7% increase for all teachers in September followed
by urgent action to provide further above-inflation increases
beyond 2020 to restore the real terms pay cuts teachers have
suffered since 2010.”
Editor’s Note
The survey was conducted in January 2020 amongst members
working in state funded schools and academies in England. 25,430
members completed the survey. Its key findings were submitted as
part of the NEU’s supplementary evidence submission to the School
Teachers’ Review Body consultation, which closed on Monday 17
February.
