Better pay 'means bigger classes'

Plans to give heads the power to award higher pay rises to good teachers will result in larger class sizes for children, the Chief Inspector of Schools has warned.

New rules being introduced in September will see the scrapping of incremental pay rises for teachers. Heads will be able to bring in performance-related pay schemes in their own schools.

But Sir Michael Wilshaw, chief executive of education watchdog Ofsted, warned heads would have to choose between paying higher salaries and continuing teaching children in smaller class sizes, the Independent said.

Sir Michael, a former headteacher, said: "My view has always been - not as HMCI (chief inspector) but an ex-headteacher - I always said to the staff, 'I want to reward those of you who are prepared to commit yourself to the school and do a good job in the classroom. To do that might mean that we have larger classes'.

"You can't have small classes - small groups - and a highly-paid staff."

Sir Michael said that for schools to adopt the scheme headteachers would have to persuade staff that a reorganisation of class sizes and school curriculums would be necessary.

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, called the situation an "invidious choice no headteacher or governor would want to make", the Independent said.

"It gives the lie to the idea that changes to teachers' pay are a free chance for heads and governors to pay 'good teachers' more," she said.

"The simple fact is there is no more money in the pot."