School leaders in England have voted overwhelmingly to reject the
offer put forward by the government on teacher pay.
School leaders’ union NAHT closed its online consultative ballot
at 5pm on Tuesday 4th April, a week after it
opened.
64% of its eligible membership responded, with 90% voting to
reject the offer.
92% said the offer was unaffordable, saying they did not have the
headroom in their budget to be able to afford the proposed pay
offer for the next academic year (2023/24).
Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: “This is a
conclusive response to the government’s offer. It has been judged
inadequate and unaffordable.
“Our members do not recognise the government’s calculations on
the affordability of the offer, with the vast majority of head
teachers and school business leaders saying they could not pay
the rise from their existing budgets.
“This is a very clear stumbling block and one the government must
listen to and solve if we hope to bring this dispute to an end.”
NAHT also asked its members whether, should the offer be
rejected, they would be prepared to vote for and take industrial
action, up to and including strike action. 78% responded that
they would be.
NAHT’s National Executive will now meet to discuss next steps,
including a formal ballot on industrial action.
Mr Whiteman continued: “The government must now come back to the
table and solve this dispute. To do otherwise would be to stick
two fingers up to a dedicated profession whilst at the same time
turning their backs on children.
“The response from the members of all the education unions has
been overwhelming – the government can be in no doubt of the
strength of feeling of the education profession or their
determination to stand up for themselves and for their pupils. We
are calling on the government to match that ambition and invest
seriously in the future of education in this country.”
