A Government consultation paper on the reform of teachers pay and conditions has been welcomed in Warwickshire.

Eric Wood, County Education Officer, said,

"It has been clear for some time that teachers need a better deal over salaries and conditions of service. I hope we can avoid ‘knee jerk reactions’ to the proposals linking par performance. I am delighted the Government has accepted that teachers deserve better pay, an improved career structure and that this debate has now started. Parents value the dedicated work carried out by teachers in the County. Dedication should be valued by all of us – and teachers accepted for the professionals that they are. The future of the country is in our classrooms.

"I hope we can have a calm and considered debate about this very important issue. We’ll then let the Government know what teachers, governors and the public in Warwickshire think about their radical proposals."

Cllr Richard Grant, Chair – Education Committee, said,

"This government is determined to boost teacher recruitment and pay for teachers. The Education Committee will want to hear from all groups affected by these proposals before we respond to David Blunkett.

"I know how valuable our teachers are – we all want to see out teachers adequately rewarded. I welcome the fact that Government has started this important debate."