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NASWUT survey indicates teacher dissatisfaction A survey of teachers published by NASUWT on the eve of teachers strike action in the North West taking the first action in the series of a national rolling programme of strike action over pay, pensions, working conditions and jobs. The Big Question 2013, conducted in March/April 2013, asked teachers a range of questions on key issues, including pay, pensions, job satisfaction and wellbeing. Over 14,000 teachers responded. The top four concerns are: workload (78 per cent); pension changes (51 per cent); pay (45 per cent); school inspection (41 per cent).
The survey also revealed that teachers’ job satisfaction has declined since 2011. Over half of teachers (53 per cent) say that their job satisfaction has declined in the last 12 months, and almost two thirds (65 per cent) have considered leaving their job in the last 12 months. Over 54 per cent have considered leaving the teaching profession – up 9 per cent from 2011. Prior to the introduction by the Department for Education of changes to the statutory pay framework for teachers that will extend pay discretions for all schools from 1 September, the survey reveakled that almost two thirds (64 per cent) say they do
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not trust their headteacher to make fair and objective decisions about pay progression; over four fifths (86 per cent) do not have confidence that their governing body would give balanced decisions on pay. NASWUT General Secretary Chris Keates said: “Each year the results have been shared with the Secretary of State. Each year he has failed to respond positively or to take seriously the deep concerns expressed. “Teachers’ pay and working conditions are inextricably linked to the provision of high-quality education for all children and young people. Yet the Secretary of State arrogantly and recklessly continues to cut pay, plunder pensions and hack to pieces national salary scales. “Not content with this, he is now laying plans to remove other key contractual provisions, particularly those which support and enable teachers to work effectively. If these proposals see the light of day, teachers’ holidays, working hours and other contractual provisions will be at the whim of employers and schools. No other profession has been treated in such a disgraceful and callous manner. “No one, therefore, should be surprised that over half of teachers are considering leaving teaching altogether and that applications for teacher training are down and resignations are up.”
SCHOOL HOURS
One per cent pay award recommended by STRB
Truss reveals sketchy plans to extend school hours
The School Teachers’ Review Body’s 22nd report published on June 27 recommends a one per cent pay award should be applied equally to all salaries and allowances in payment, and to all points on the pay-scales contained in the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). This includes all points on the unqualified, main and upper pay scales for classroom teachers; the minimum and maximum of the pay range for leaders and all pay ranges for individual posts set before taking account of the September 2013 uplift; all points on the leadership spine; and any individual allowances in payment for all teacher allowances. “I am grateful to the STRB for these
A speech given by education minister Liz Truss (pictured right) in London suggested schools could run after-hours clubs until 6pm. With details yet to be confirmed, it is expected private childcare providers and the voluntary sector would be invited to run activities. The minister was speaking to CityMothers, a group of senior-level female professionals working in the City. She declared that parents might also be drafted in to help. Ms Truss told the group: “It’s crazy that we have so many schools in this country which are open from 9am to 3pm and then closed afterwards when they have brilliant facilities and many parents need to work longer than 9am to 3pm.” She added: “We are doing work to enable schools to offer more of those services. There are some very good examples of schools at the moment that offer
recommendations and, subject to the views of consultees, I intend to accept them in full,” Education Secretary Michael Gove said in his Ministerial Statement. A consultation on the recommendation will take four weeks. Commenting on the publication of report, Russell Hobby, general secretary of NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers), said: “We welcome the Secretary of State’s response that all recommendations have been taken on board, so teachers and school leaders will receive their long-awaited pay award.” There was still no word of school business managers joining the leadership pay spine, which is something for which groups like NAHT and the Association of School and College Leaders have been lobbying the STRB. READ MORE:
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8am to 6pm provision, either using teaching staff, teaching assistants or local nursery staff. Schools that do it often generate extra revenue and provide a service parents want.” Under the plans, ministers hope to remove tape which schools must battle through to utilise facilities outside normal hours. READ MORE:
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Volume 18.4 | EDUCATION BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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