Scottish teachers settle for 2.5%

In the face of Scottish local authorities' financial difficulties and the impending publication of the McCrone Committee's report on the future of pay, conditions and negotiating arrangements, the teachers' side of the SJNC negotiating committee agreed to accept an offer of 2.5% on each scale point. Ronnie Smith, general secretary of the main teaching union EIS commented that "the challenge to make good the erosion in teachers' salaries" now rested with the McCrone enquiry.

The settlement provides a starting salary for graduates of £14,550 while the top of the teachers' scale moves to £23,313. A typical secondary head teacher, according to EIS, will now earn £47,883 while a typical primary head will earn £33,015. The new rates are effective from 1 April.

Examples of the new salary scales

Common scale 14,022 - 23,313

Primary head

Roll upto 50 29,568 . Roll over 600 39,834

Secondary head

Roll upto 100 34,407 . Roll over 1,550 54,774

Educational

Psychologist 23,439 - 34,191

Adviser 34,059 - 39,291

(depends on pupil population)