New teachers could be paid more to 'drive up school standards'

             

Starting salaries for teachers could rise by up to £ 6, 000 over the next few years, the government says.

The proposal would mean that a new teacher would earn a minimum of £ 30, 000 from 2022 / 23, a significant increase from the current minimum in England and Wales (excluding London) , which is £ 23, 720 .

The minimum for inner London is £ 29, 664, according to government-run teaching website Get Into Teaching.

It comes amid calls to make the career more attractive to graduates and to fairly compensate teachers for extra work brought by curriculum changes and new exam systems.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson: “Teachers truly are the lifeblood of a school and I have been instantly impressed by the dedication, commitment and hard work that I have seen from those at the front of our classrooms.

“I want the best talent to be drawn to the teaching profession and for schools to compete with the biggest employers in the labor market and recruit the brightest and the best into teaching.

“Teachers should be in no doubt that this government fully backs them in every stage of their career, starting with rewarding starting salaries, and giving them the powers they need to deal with bad behavior and bullying and continue to drive up school standards right across the country. “

The government will also fully fund increased contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, meaning teachers will get an employer contribution of 23. 6% on top of their salary each year.

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: ” The proposed increase to teachers’ starting salaries is fundamentally necessary if the government is going to get enough graduates wanting to become teachers.

“Teacher training targets have been missed for six years in a row, and this announcement may go some way to making teaching more attractive.

“But schools need experienced, as well as beginner teachers. What is the government proposing for those who remain in the profession, taking on more responsibilities as they gain experience?

“This is a key issue. England has one of the worst teacher retention rates in the OECD with almost half of teachers leaving within 10 years – taking with them vast amounts of knowledge and experience. “