“I’m one of the highest earners amongst my graduate friends,” says one smart young professional. “In a relatively short time I’ve been able to progress very, very quickly and now I’ve been able to buy my own home, something that I probably wouldn’t have been able to do in another career,” adds another. It sounds like promotional material for a high-powered corporate graduate scheme. But this is actually the government’s latest teacher recruitment advert, as schools face an increasingly uphill battle to attract and retain staff.
Yesterday’s announcement that the 1 per cent cap on public sector pay rises will continue to apply for teachers – despite pressure on Theresa May from some MPs to scrap it all together – will undoubtedly not help recruitment and retention. (Some teachers at the bottom of the pay scale will be eligible for a 2 per cent rise – but schools will have to find the money themselves at a time when they are not exactly awash with cash.)
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