“We are pleased that these pay awards are slightly above the rate of inflation (RPI) as it currently stands, in recognition of the need to attract and retain more teachers to our schools and colleges. Teachers are the lifeblood of the profession, and it is those working in and leading our schools who will be responsible for delivering the numerous government reforms coming in over the next few years. A strong and sustainable education workforce is absolutely vital to ensuring children and young people have the support they need during their time at school. Teachers need to feel they are being adequately remunerated for this crucial work, in order to be able to plan for long and successful careers in the sector. The maintenance of salary safeguarding at its current level is therefore welcome in providing staff with security at a time when restructuring is increasingly common. We also welcome the two-year award, which will provide greater certainty both for individuals and those planning budgets. This has been undermined though by how late in the summer term the announcement has been made, and we really need to return to a timetable that is completed much earlier in the academic year.
“We welcome the funding that has been made available to support part of the pay award, both for schools and FE providers, and the clarity this gives to school and college leaders over the next couple of years. However, at an individual school and college level the implications will vary and it will be very challenging for many schools to find money from their existing budgets in the way that is required. We will be talking to leaders about the exact impact this will have on their budgets and feeding this back to the government.”