05.09.13
Performance linked pay for teachers
All state schools will be able to link teachers’ pay to performance, the Government has announced.
The new pay policies follow recommendations made by the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB). It will end pay increases based on length of service or mandatory pay points throughout a teacher’s career.
The national framework is set out in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and will allow headteachers to base pay on performance as determined by annual appraisals.
Education secretary Michael Gove said: “Linking teachers’ pay to performance will make teaching a more attractive career and a more rewarding job. It will give schools greater flexibility to respond to specific conditions and reward their best teachers.
“It is vital that teachers can be paid more without having to leave the classroom. This will be particularly important to schools in the most disadvantaged areas as it will empower them to attract and recruit the best teachers.”
Teachers’ unions have announced two one-day regional strikes on October 1 and 17, with a national strike planned before Christmas. Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “With pay pensions and working conditions being systematically attacked and an Education Secretary who refuses to listen or negotiate teachers now however have no other choice.”
And Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, described the plans as “relentless attacks”.
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