Teachers’ pay is to improve across the board – for both experienced and new educators to the field – in what the government has called “landmark rises”.
It is hoped that the salary hikes will attract “more top-quality talent to inspire children and young people” while rewarding teachers for their hard work.
The starting salary for teachers outside London will rise by 8.9%, with pay reaching £28,000 per annum in the 2022/23 academic year. The government says this represents progress towards its manifesto commitment for new teacher pay to rise to £30,000.
Those in the early stages of their careers will also benefit from significant increases, ranging from 5% to 8% depending on experience.
Pay for experienced teachers who have been in the profession for more than five years will rise by 5% in the next academic year – an increase on the government’s initial proposal of 3%.
Education Secretary James Cleverly said: “Teachers are the fabric of our school system, and it is their dedication and skill that ensures young people can leave school with the knowledge and opportunities they need to get on in life.”
However, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) was quick to slam what it called a “wholly inadequate” rise.
“The higher awards for those on starting salaries affect a relatively small proportion of teachers,” said ASCL general secretary, Geoff Barton.
“And, while this increase is welcome, inflation means that the planned £30,000 starting salary will in reality be worth significantly less than when it was first proposed in 2019.”
The National Education Union (NEU) went even further, suggesting that this “this very poor pay proposal” could lead it to recommend its members strike in the Autumn.
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “Teachers don’t want to strike – they want to be in the classroom teaching our pupils. But we cannot stand by and watch the biggest real-terms decline in teacher pay this century. This pay offer will do nothing to recruit, retain and value teachers and protect our children's education.”
Meanwhile, the ASCL questioned how schools will afford to pay the rising costs with little mention of budget increases to offset the award, adding that it will exacerbate an already “dire financial situation”.
