In your coverage of the education unions’ responses to the SNCT deal (1 July), there was reference to “members from the independent sector who would not be affected by the . deal”.

While it is true that independent schools’ teachers are not bound formally by the SNCT pay and conditions, that does not mean they are not affected. Most schools follow the pay scales and awards very closely. You will see from job adverts in TESS and elsewhere that the national scales are often referred to and while there may be variations, most schools will use SNCT as the benchmark.

John Edward, director, Scottish Council of Independent Schools.