Teaching assistants and other school support staff employed by councils have been offered a pay increase of at least £1,290, but unions say the offer “falls short”.
The deal for the 2024-25 financial year, which began in April, is lower than the almost £2,000 offer accepted in both 2022-23 and 2023-24. It equates to 5.77 per cent for the lowest-paid workers.
Unions had asked for an increase of either £3,000 or 10 per cent, whichever is higher.
Pay for council-employed school support staff is negotiated between local authorities – referred to as the “national employers” and unions. The resulting rises apply to LA-maintained schools, but many academy trusts also mirror the deals reached.
Tim Roca, chair of the national employers, said the lowest-paid workers – currently earning £22,366 a year – would have seen their pay rise by £5,323, or almost 30 per cent, since April 2021.
For those on all pay points above the top of the pay spine, an offer of 2.5 per cent has been made.
The total increase to the national pay bill resulting from this offer would be £731.70 million, but this includes non-school council staff.
“The national employers are acutely aware of the additional pressure this year’s offer will place on already hard-pressed council finances, as it would need to be paid for from existing budgets.
“However, they believe their offer is fair to employees, given the wider economic backdrop.”
Staff ‘deserve a decent pay rise’
UNISON head of local government Mike Short said council and school staff “deserve a decent pay rise for the vital support they provide to communities”.
“But this offer falls short of the union’s reasonable claim.
“Many workers will feel let down because their household bills continue to rise. UNISON will consult representatives over the coming days before deciding the next steps.”
Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, said “on the face of it, the deal looks disappointing”.
“The LGA rejected our claims for a shorter working week, additional days’ leave and a commitment to work towards a minimum of £15 an hour.
“However GMB will now speak to our local government and schools committees to decide our position on the offer and will then ballot all members.”
Disappointing as most Support staff only work part-time and anything less than £3000 (prorata to approx 70% = 2100) would be insignificant and an insult to hard working staff.
Chance would be a fine thing! If they want more money they can get jobs in holidays like when us teachers have to work! When will we realise that teachers teach children, not receptionists!
Really? I am astonished at your comment and attitude towards staff that support you.
Thank goodness no teachers at the school I’m employed at as a TA are anything like you Pauline.
Your attitude Pauline is quite unbelievable! As a TA, I work above and beyond and am called upon to lead interventions supporting the ever increasing additional needs that children have; educationally, emotionally and behaviorally. My job is endless and at times thankless. Without people like me, teachers like you couldn’t cope with the ever growing demands. Fortunately the teacher I work alongside appreciates and respects my role and totally disagrees with the poor pay we get!
As a “professional” (something teachers are very keen to promote), you get paid an annual salary. TAs and support staff get paid less than a full year’s pay. I am so glad I don’t work in your school with teachers who think the same as you do, The support staff in the school I work in value the support they receive, from LSAs to the front desk receptionist. Shame on you for your attitude.
Well said.
Teaching assistants are gold many SEN students would not survive on main stream without them,however support staff is also cooks ,cleaners ,office admin, caretakers safe guarding i could go on.
Really don’t think there would be a teaching role or a school at all without the essential staff around you,you are just one role that is needed to have a school.
What arrogance you exhibit Pauline. You are only able to teach because of the team of support staff that run your school. Who is it who sorts out your pay? Support staff. Who is it that cleans up after you? Support staff. Who is it that handles all the admin so you can comply with the law? That’d be support staff.
Your dismissive attitude belongs in the past, and frankly you shouldn’t be a teacher if you behave this way. Children deserve better.
What arrogance, without the support staff in the office teachers would have more admin, have to deal with phone call, emails, attendance, just mention just a few jobs done by office staff. From my experience teachers definitely wouldn’t want that. TA’s take on all the jobs that teachers don’t want to do, it’s easy to send a child with additional learning needs out of a class and expect a TA to deal with them. I’m so pleased not to work in your school.
Wow! I cant believe i just read that. Support staff are just as important as teachers without them the school cannot function or severely struggle. You should think before putting such ludicrous comments on here.
Your attitude Pauline is quite unbelievable! As a TA, I work above and beyond and am called upon to lead interventions supporting the ever increasing additional needs that children have; educationally, emotionally and behaviorally. My job is endless and at times thankless. Without people like me, teachers like you couldn’t cope with the ever growing demands. Fortunately the teacher I work alongside appreciates and respects my role and totally disagrees with the poor pay we get!
The offer is scandalous.
Can’t speak for everyone but us caretakers are so under paid considering the shit we have to put up with, as well as the position of trust we hold and legal requirements we have to undertake.
I’ve been at my school for 8 years. If I were to resign, the starting salary for my successor would not be enough to attract any interest. I wouldn’t apply for it that’s for sure.
I am a cleaner in a senior school I have cleaned sick, wee, blood off walls where it has been smeared in the toilet walls , wiped off more drawings of genitals on tables than I care to remember but having worked in schools for a while have respect for teachers but it seems at times respect is not returned. It’s my job as everyone has a job and until I’m replaced with a robot I and all deserve respect and understanding, some are supposed to be intelligent then use that intelligence not ignorance