The Welsh Government published the
Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) 2nd report on 29 July 2020.
The report recommends an 8.48% increase to the minimum of the main pay range, and a 3.75% increase to the maximum of the main pay range and also to the minimum and maximum of the upper pay range.
However, the increase recommended for unqualified teachers, lead practitioners, leadership pay range and allowances was just 2.5%.
The Minister for Education has agreed to the increases for the main pay range and upper pay range but has increased the recommended uplift to the minimum and maximum of all other pay ranges and allowances to 2.75%, again in line with the pay award for teachers in England.
The report also includes several other recommendations, including the reintroduction of statutory pay scales into the STPCD (W) which contain five points in the main pay range rather than six, and the removal of performance related pay. The Minister has decided to accept all the recommendations in principle.
ASCL
welcomes the proposed increase to teacher starting salaries. It is an important step in making the profession more competitive in the graduate jobs market, and thereby improving recruitment.
However, we are disappointed that the level of the pay award is on a sliding scale, with many experienced teachers and leaders receiving the lowest uplift.
We are concerned that, as yet, there has been no indication on how this award will be funded. The evidence from all consultees was that any award needed to be fully funded, and as such we call on the Welsh Government to ensure that this is acted on and that this information is announced without delay.
The
publication of the Minister’s response to the report signals the start of an eight week period of consultation to which ASCL is a statutory consultee, and we will be submitting our response on behalf of members in due course.
As the consultation period does not close until 22 September, we urge school leaders not to interrupt their well-earned breaks to begin re-budgeting.