HC Deb 01 February 1999 vol 324 cc490-1W
Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimates his Department has made of the number of teachers who would qualify to transfer to the upper salary scale proposed in his recent Green Paper,"Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change". [68529]

Ms Estelle Morris

In order to pass the new performance threshold proposed in the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change" (Cm 4164), teachers would have to demonstrate that they had consistently achieved national standards centred on strong classroom performance. The number of teachers transferring to the upper salary spine will depend on the outcomes of individual assessments against these national standards. The Government expect that, over time, a majority of teachers will be of a standard to pass the threshold if they wish to do so.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment whether supply teachers will be eligible to apply for the performance assessment for transfer to the upper salary scale proposed in his recent Green Paper; and who would be responsible for carrying out such an assessment. [68526]

Ms Estelle Morris

The Technical Consultation Document on Pay and Performance Management following up the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change" was published today. In it we confirm that unattached teachers and supply teachers employed by the local education authority will be able to apply for threshold assessment provided that they have reached spine point 9 for qualifications and experience and if they can demonstrate that they meet the national threshold standards. Normally, their applications would be assessed by the relevant head, teacher in charge or senior manager with appropriate line management responsibility, and validated by an external assessor. In exceptional circumstances, the teacher may need to apply direct to the external assessor through the local education authority.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of the additional cost to the teachers' salary bill of(a) 25 per cent., (b) 50 per cent. and (c) 75 per cent. of teachers progressing to the upper salary scale proposed in his recent Green Paper. [68528]

Ms Estelle Morris

The Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change" proposes that teachers successful at the new performance threshold could receive a salary increase of up to 10 per cent. It would be for governing bodies to decide, on the advice of the head, where on the upper pay spine to place teachers who had passed the threshold assessment, assigned on a combination of excellent performance and extra responsibility. This decision will determine the exact salary level for each teacher.

As estimated 220,000 full-time equivalent teachers in England will have reached spine point nine for qualifications and experience by September 1999 and will therefore be eligible to apply for assessment at the performance threshold to the new upper pay spine.

For every £1,000 of average salary increase, the annual paybill cost of 25 per cent. or 50 per cent. or 75 per cent. passing would be some £65 million or £125 million or £190 million respectively.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what role he proposes for the School Teachers' Review Body in determining salaries for teachers on the upper salary scale proposed in his recent Green Paper. [68527]

Ms Estelle Morris

Following the outcome of the consultation on the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change", the Secretary of State will be asking the School Teachers' Review Body to make recommendations which would also cover the values of pay points on the proposed upper salary spine.