ATL

Bonus culture

Do heads deserve a bonus round?

At ATL we know that the majority of the school workforce, including heads and managers, is dedicated to delivering the highest level of education, placing the interests of young people at the heart of this vital public service.

However, some schools' best intentions have been eroded as they become the victims of creeping marketisation brought in by successive governments - where private sector companies have been invited into the education system through the remortgaging of school premises under the public finance initiative, and through the academies programme where the school workforce often finds itself with worse pay and conditions. 

No wonder that in such a cash-driven climate, some school leaders in state education have taken large rewards over and above the pay scales of the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). After all, the government has led by example not only in breaking down national pay scales in academies, but also in certain MPs' handling of their own expenses.

Let us know what you think

We are keen to hear youe views on our bonus culture campaign. You can read what ATL is calling for below or by ordering a hard copy or downloading the pdf version of the briefing document.

Let us know what you think by using our online feedback form.

To ensure that the excesses of a bonus culture do not undermine the role of our schools...

ATL demands...

an end to the current bonus culture which has led to some school leaders taking what is already generous remuneration for their work - more than £100k salaries in some cases - and topping it up with unlawful payments.

ATL calls...

on the government to make sure school governing bodies understand any new limits and criteria around financial rewards and receive proper training in setting and monitoring pay levels in their schools.

ATL demands...

a limit on financial rewards for school leaders, coupled with strict criteria for such awards, as part of a government review of the STPCD.

ATL calls...

on the government to review how schools, including academies, are held to account over their finances. These are public assets and must be open to public scrutiny.

ATL pledges...

to support its members in scrutinising school spending reports for unlawful payments.