Teachers’ Pay Changes Welcomed by Unions in West Sussex

Changes to teachers’ pay policies in West Sussex have been welcomed by the National Education Union (NEU), which says the move will help improve fairness and tackle inequality.

Following talks with West Sussex County Council, the NEU confirmed that from September, part-time teachers who take on full additional responsibilities, such as subject leadership, will be entitled to extra pay.

Annual pay progression for teachers on the Upper Pay Scale will also be written into the policy for council-maintained schools.

NEU branch officer Tom Chitty said the Upper Pay Scale is not a promotion and warned that blocking progression can deepen inequality.

The union says women, who make up around three-quarters of the education workforce in West Sussex, are more likely to face stalled pay progression, while men remain over-represented in higher-paid and leadership roles.

The county council said it is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and supports initiatives such as ‘Women in Leadership’ apprenticeships to help more women progress into senior roles.

However, the NEU has warned that academies and foundation schools could become less attractive to experienced teachers if their pay policies do not match those of local authority schools.

The union will ask members across the country on February 28 whether they are prepared to take strike action over pay, funding and workload.