DEPARTMENT for Education bosses have confirmed teachers will receive an overall one per cent pay rise next month.

Teaching unions had called for a two per cent rise but this was rejected with the government accepting the recommendations of the School Teachers' Review Body.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUW, said: “Whilst it is right that the Government has accepted the recommendations of the School Teachers’ Review Body report, these should be implemented in full and there must be no cherry-picking.

“The pay review body has rightly reminded schools that pupil achievements are dependent on schools maintaining a strong cadre of teachers and that ‘this will require school leaders and governing bodies to make best use of their people and give the necessary priority to teachers’ pay within their schools’ budgets.

“However, the evidence confirms that to date teachers have not had any protection as a result of the Government’s 1 per cent pay cap, and increasing numbers of teachers are reporting real financial hardship for the first time in decades."