Schools

£3k teachers retention bonuses: How they will work

Up to 7,000 early-career computing, maths, physics and chemistry teachers in 2,500 schools will receive retention bonuses

Up to 7,000 early-career computing, maths, physics and chemistry teachers in 2,500 schools will receive retention bonuses

13 May 2022, 0:00

More from this author

Up to 7,000 early-career computing, maths, physics and chemistry teachers in 2,500 schools will receive bonuses to stay in the profession, amid fears of a growing exodus of staff.

The scheme is a reheated version of the “early career payments” bonus scheme the government scrapped in 2020.

But staff in some subjects and areas will no longer be eligible, while some staff at schools with lower-than-average poverty levels will be – despite it being dubbed the “levelling up premium”.

At its most generous, the predecessor scheme was worth £15,000 for maths teachers.

Now the government has dusted off a similar initiative, focused on its new “education investment areas” and open from September.

Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said it would give staff “the best specialist teaching”.

But unlike the last scheme, languages staff are ineligible, and computing staff now are.

Only new teachers in schools with the highest proportion of students receiving free school meals can apply. Officials did not say how to find out where schools rank by this measure.

How bonuses will be awarded

Eligible staff in the 30 per cent of schools with the poorest intake will receive £6,000 for staying five years in the profession – or £9,000 if schools are in 55 newly created EIAs. It will be distributed as three £3,000 annual bonuses during teachers’ first five years.

If they are in the top 50 per cent, they can take home £4,500, or £7,500 in ministers’ prioritised EIAs.

Teachers in more advantaged schools will benefit

Yet despite payments being dubbed the “levelling up premium,” some staff will receive bonuses in schools with lower-than-average intakes of poor pupils.

Schools only need to be in the top 70 per cent for some staff to be eligible if they are in EIAs, with £6,000 available. Staff at similar schools outside EIAs cannot claim anything.

The DfE expects staff at around 2,500 schools to benefit.

Zahawi said it would support jobs in low-income areas, adding: “Teachers shouldn’t feel that they must leave their local area for a better paid job.”

The DfE recently predicted a looming exodus of teachers delayed by Covid, and hiked trainee recruitment targets.

Meanwhile officials have also announced £498.3 million had been allocated in Condition Improvement Fund grants for building work and repairs next year.

The “most pressing” 1,405 bids submitted by small trusts, sixth-form colleges and some voluntary-aided schools received funding, out of 3,501 applications.

Acceptance rates varied by region, from 28 per cent in the south-west to 46 per cent in Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Correction: DfE originally said 4,500 schools would benefit. It later said this was incorrect, and actually just 2,500 schools would benefit.

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Politics, Schools

Reform government would ‘root out teachers brainwashing kids’ says MP Lee Anderson

Reform UK members tell party conference of need to crack down on 'brainwashing' teachers and stop schools 'becoming indoctrination...

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Schools

Farage: ‘Let’s start teaching trades and services at school’

Reform leader also says he ‘will not stand for kids’ minds being poisoned in schools with a twisted interpretation...

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Schools

Staff want compensation after summer cyber-attack

Schools warned incident could increase risk of phishing, fraud and identity theft for impacted employees

John Dickens
Schools

Lockdown: The schools forced to take emergency measures

Union calls for 'comprehensive' guidance as leaders warn of communications difficulties during incidents

Jack Dyson

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *