But for most teachers the extra money is unlikely to be substantial. Inflation is 3.2 per cent and the prediction is that the profession will get between 3.5 and 3.7 per cent.

More money is likely to be targeted at newly-qualified teachers, with starting salaries expected to rise by more than 5 per cent under plans being finalised by the School Teachers’ Review Body.

Headteachers are also expected to receive more flexibility to pay bonuses of up to pound;4,000 to staff in shortage subjects. At present only inner London and failing schools are able to pay staff the maximum recruitment and retention allowance of pound;3,765.

The review body is expected to recommend increasing the maximum allowance to pound;4,000 and making it more widely available.

Teaching unions criticised the proposed rise and Phil Willis, Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said a 3.5 per cent ise would amount to pound;155 for a newly-qualified teacher. After deductions they would get an extra pound;2 a week, he said, “hardly enough for a daily cup of coffee”.

Meanwhile, the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education, responsible for 279 Church of England schools, has warned David Blunkett that it was losing both young teachers and experienced headteachers.

In a letter, the board said: “Because teachers are such dedicated professionals and wish the very best for their pupils they make every effort to do all they can, often at the expense of their family life.”

Sarah Cassidy

WHAT THE AWARD COULD MEAN

* Starting salary up from pound;16,050 to at least pound;16,852.

* Average teachers’ pay up from pound;24,000 to pound;24,800.

* London allowances to rise by more than 30 per cent from pound;2,316 in inner London to more than pound;3,010; from pound;1,524 in outer London to at least pound;1,981, and from pound;591 to pound;768 in the South-east.

lThese increases could take starting salaries in inner London above pound;20,000 for the first time.