Today’s vocational and A-level results should lead to better pay for teachers, the University and College Union has said.
General secretary Jo Grady said the results were “a reflection of hard work and dedication of both students and staff after an incredibly difficult year.”
“Sadly, in spite of these efforts, college employers only saw fit to offer staff a 1 per cent pay rise, which is actually a significant real-terms pay cut. They need to think again and demonstrate they value their workforce otherwise we will see sustained strike action at colleges across England come autumn.”
Results day 2021: We need to celebrate achievement
More on results: No evidence of teacher bias in VTQs
A-level and GCSE results days 2021: LIVE
College employers have offered a 1 per cent pay increase to staff, and at 15 institutions, strike action is now looming. The union says the pay gap between college and school teachers currently stands at £9,000 and staff working in further education have seen the value of their pay plummet by over 30 per cent in the past decade.
Hundreds of thousands of learners get their results today, with over 230,000 students receiving level 3 Btec results alone. Many Btecs are at risk of being defunded over the coming years as part of the government’s reform of level 3 qualifications.
Ms Grady said: “Thousands of students who receive their level 3 Btec qualifications will now be able to enter higher education. Many will be the first in their families to do so. Btecs are a crucial entry route into university for those from working-class backgrounds, yet the government wants to scrap them. The Department for Education needs to urgently change course if it truly cares about supporting students to reach their full potential. Cutting Btec funding would hamper plans to level up communities and widen participation.”
Speaking on the university admission system, the UCU general secretary added: “After two extraordinary years, it’s now time for the government to focus on ensuring the fairest possible system for the future of university admissions. If we want to begin removing the disadvantages currently baked into the system, students should apply to university after they receive their grades. Now is the time for bold reform which supports applicants to make better-informed choices. Reforms also need to be underpinned by properly funded, structured advice and guidance to make the system fairer for all students.”
