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.
The data comes as the GMB, UNISON and Unite – which between them represent 1.4 million council and school employees, including support staff and teaching assistants – have called for a significant wage rise in their annual pay claim.
The joint pay claim, which would apply from the start of April, is for all council employees to receive a wage rise of £3,000 or 10%, whichever is higher.
The claim also calls on employers to agree a “clear plan” to reach a minimum pay rate of £15 an hour within two years, as well as an additional day of annual leave for all staff.
The submission to local government employers argues that staff have seen 25% wiped from the value of their pay since 2010.
UNISON’s head of local government Mike Short said: “Communities rely on the services provided by council and school workers. But if staff don’t feel valued and can find better-paid work elsewhere, there’ll be no one to carry out these vital functions.
“Everyone will be worse off if local authorities don’t have enough employees to look after the most vulnerable, give children the education they need and keep neighbourhoods safe. A decent pay offer is essential.”
Commenting on the teaching assistant vacancy figures, Stacey Booth, GMB national officer, said: “Workforce planning should be driven by pupils’ needs, but these shocking figures show that the low-paid women who make up the majority of the workforce are being overlooked. Teacher shortages might get the headlines but schools face serious recruitment challenges across the board.
“We are calling on (education secretary) Gillian Keegan to meet with GMB, reinstate the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, and fund the decent pay rates that our members deserve.”