Teachers denied pay entitlements
More than half of teachers (57%) across England have not received or had confirmed that they will receive their 1% pay award this year, a survey by the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK has found.
The survey, which attracted almost 7,000 responses from NASUWT members, revealed disturbing results showing that of those eligible for pay progression 47% had either been refused or had not had a decision made by their school.
Almost six in ten teachers (59%) said their schools had not confirmed time for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for this year, and more than four in ten teachers (41%) had not had their professional development priorities discussed as part of their performance management planning.
Other results found by the Survey were:
- 47% of teachers said a copy of their school’s pay policy was not available;
- 29% said their school had not made available a copy of its performance management policy;
- Over a third (35%) said their school had not completed the review of their performance and pay progression for 2014-15.
NASUWT General Secretary Chris Keates said:
“It is unacceptable that a large number of teachers are not getting their pay award or face the uncertainty of not being given a decision over their pay.
“There is also a disturbing picture of teachers being refused the pay progression to which they are entitled.
“The Government’s introduction of excessive pay flexibilities and discretions for schools have led to pay chaos and uncertainty akin to the Wild West.
“It is unacceptable that over half of teachers have not received or even had confirmed that they will receive the pay award which was due on 1st September 2015.
“When teachers are treated in this way, is it any wonder that there is a recruitment and retention crisis.
“Pay cuts, excessive workload and deprofessionalisation have caused widespread demoralisation.
“It’s no wonder that as each year passes more and more teachers say they are considering leaving the profession and indeed are doing so.
“It’s not only teachers who are suffering. The provision of high quality education to which all children and young people are entitled is being put at risk by the failure of the Government to create a pay system which recognises and rewards teachers as highly skilled professionals.”
Notes to Editors
For the full evidence on teachers’ pay which the NASUWT has submitted to the School Teachers’ Review Body go to goo.gl/z9lZu1
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