Unions representing teaching assistants and other school support staff are pushing for a pay rise in April of £3,000 or 10% – whichever is higher.
It comes as a new snapshot analysis shows that 18% of teaching assistant vacancies are currently going unfilled. Published by the GMB, the analysis is based on records provided after Freedom of Information requests to local authorities.
In September, the Low Pay Commission reclassified teaching assistants and other support staff roles as “low-paying occupations” for the first time. According to the Office for National Statistics, average teaching assistant pay was £15,476 last year.
Meanwhile, research from the NFER last term warned that an “overwhelming majority” of schools are struggling to recruit teaching assistants and other support staff. The report warned that teaching assistants are taking on second jobs to make ends meet while others are walking away from the classroom for better paid roles in retail and hospitality.
