Teacher pay rises in FE should “keep up” with schools over the next few years, the skills minister told MPs today. In a wide-ranging final session of the education committee’s inquiry into FE and skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith also revealed that the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) would be “mapping” schools’ compliance with the Baker clause next year.
Key Takeaways from the Session
- Teacher Pay Parity: Smith admitted the pay difference between college and school teachers is “part of the reason” for high vacancy rates in FE colleges. The government aims to ensure college teacher pay at least “keeps up” with schools.
- Baker Clause Compliance: School compliance with the Baker clause, which requires them to provide pupils with encounters with apprenticeship and technical education providers, will be “mapped” for the first time next year.
- Adult Education Cuts: Reduced funding has been focused on providers that can deliver “the biggest bang for the smaller amount of buck” available for adult skills funding.
- College VAT Issues: Colleges’ VAT liabilities remain unaddressed since their reclassification as public sector organisations in November 2022.
- SEND Transport: There are no plans to extend the statutory duty to provide free transport for SEND students aged 16-19, despite concerns over access to FE.
- Disadvantage Gap: Extra funding for disadvantaged students is part of the funding formula, with an increase planned for the next academic year.
The session highlighted ongoing challenges in the FE sector, including pay disparities, funding cuts, and access issues for disadvantaged and SEND students.
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