The lowest-paid teachers at sixth-form colleges will get a two-per-cent pay increase under a deal struck between the National Education Union and the Sixth-Form Colleges Association.
The SFCA, which represents 90 post-16 institutions across England, has agreed to increase the pay of everyone on points 1 to 6 of the national teacher pay scale and a one-per-cent rise to those above point 6. The rise relates to the current academic year, and will be backdated to September 2017.
The move brings sixth-form college teachers in line with other school teachers, who received the same deal last year. The agreement follows the NEU’s rejection of the SFCA’s previous offer and threats to ballot members for industrial action.
“Sixth-form college teachers will be pleased that their pay will increase in line with school teachers for another year,” said Dr Mary Bousted, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union.
“The NEU worked hard to achieve this deal for its members, who showed their resolution to get a fair deal by rejecting the previous offer. The increase is, however, still below inflation and the NEU will continue to lobby to secure fully funded higher pay for teachers in schools and colleges alike.”
Graham Baird, SFCA’s director of HR services, said: “We are pleased to have reached agreement with the recognised trade unions for an across the board increase of 1 per cent on teachers’ pay, with higher targeted increases of 2 per cent on the lowest pay points.
“This agreement is at the edge of affordability for most colleges given the ongoing funding pressures facing the sector, but teachers in sixth form colleges work hard to support their students and it is important that they are rewarded for that.”
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