ASCL welcomes the opportunity to make a written response to the Government’s proposals following the STRB’s recommendations to the 32nd Remit. This submission is in addition to the joint statement we have sent in partnership with the NAHT, NASUWT, NEU and Community.

Timeliness
Whilst we acknowledge that the report and Ministerial Response were still able to be published prior to the parliament rising for summer, if the remit had been issued earlier in the Autumn Term as it should, and could, have been then the report and response would already have been published.

ASCL, along with the majority of consultees, have repeatedly voiced our concerns over the report being published at the end of the summer term, and indeed sometimes at the start of the holidays when many schools have finished for the summer break.

Affordability
In its evidence to the STRB 32nd remit, the Department said "Higher awards would not be appropriate given the need to strike a balance of priorities for school expenditure. School leaders must have the flexibility to make their own decisions on how to prioritise spending to best support their staff and pupils, especially in the context of education recovery. Additional investment in teacher pay beyond what is proposed will result in headteachers having to reduce investment that they would otherwise have been able to make in other areas."

Whilst we did not agree with the statement that higher awards would not be appropriate, the fact that the increased award comes with no additional funding simply beggars belief.

Full response to consultation

Appendix 1