§ 22. Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to meet the leaders of the teachers' unions to discuss pay.
§ Sir Keith JosephNone. I met representatives of the local authority employers on 9 May and made clear beforehand that I was agreeable to their suggestion that union leaders should accompany them to the meeting. The union representatives declined to attend.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average rate of pay per day worked by a school teacher.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe length of a teacher's working year is not specified by regulation or national agreement, nor does the Department collect information on current practice. Maintained schools are required to open for at least 190 days, but some teachers undertake out-of-term work in connection with sport, travel, examination results and placement for further study. A 38-week year is therefore a minimum assumption. Subject to that qualification, the average rate of pay per day worked based on the average salary for full-time teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England and Wales is approximately £50 gross.