UNISON Calls on Government to Address Dramatic Pay Inequalities for Teaching Assistants

UNISON, the UK’s largest education union, today called on the Government to address the dramatic pay inequalities which see teaching assistants in some schools paid less than half of those in others.

A new study commissioned by UNISON shows that salaries for teaching assistants vary between £7,125 in South Tyneside to nearly £18,000 in Gloucestershire.

Some authorities still pay hourly rates ranging from £4.96 to £7.50 an hour. One London borough pays a single hourly rate of £7.21 with full-time assistants working 27.5 hour weeks in term-time, translating into an annual salary of just over £8,900.

The study also highlights huge disparities in the payment of holiday pay. 40% of schools said they did not pay teaching assistants during all holidays. The study warns that the proportion of teaching assistants who do not receive all holiday pay could be as high as 80%. They are also not entitled to jobseekers’ allowance in the holidays.

41% of schools said they use temporary, term-time contracts for teaching assistants. This practice of term-time working can cost staff up to nine weeks pay a year. Teachers are paid for the full year.

UNISON Senior National Education Officer, Christina McAnea, said:

“This survey clearly demonstrates what UNISON has been saying for a long time: teaching assistants are on appalling rates of pay, even though their work is vital for delivering education in the classroom. Many earn as little as £8000.

“It also shows that there are huge differences in pay levels across the country.

“Some authorities have introduced a career structure for teaching assistants while others still pay only a flat hourly rate. This chaos can only be sorted out by a national framework with clear guidance. 2.

“It is time to put an end to the scandal of low pay for a group of staff who are vital to the smooth running of our schools and the delivery of the government’s agenda for schools.”

The study, “Teaching Assistants: A Report on the Role, Training and Employment Conditions of Teaching Assistants”, includes responses from more than 900 schools and 49 LEA’s.

The report is being launched at UNISON’s Local Government Conference at Bournemouth on Sunday, June 16, where members will debate justice for term-time workers.

The study found that there are two classroom assistants for every teacher at primary level. Over 25,000 extra classroom assistants have been recruited to schools since 1997.

Fifteen percent of schools said classroom assistants had covered for absent teachers. Only two per cent said this had occurred on a regular basis. 15% of schools said they would be happy for classroom assistants to take classes.

The report makes it clear that head teachers believe classroom assistants are paying an important and welcome role in schools.

UNISON is campaigning for a national pay and career structure for teaching assistants and has set up a Network for Teaching Assistants to make sure their views are heard.