A teacher taking part in strike action in Shropshire says he has considered applying for a hardship grant because he is struggling to pay bills.
Rory Hickford, from Shrewsbury, said his monthly expenses almost matched his salary and he had already decided not to retire in order to be able to afford things.
Hundreds of teachers left their homes on Wednesday over pay and working conditions.
The government said “anti-inflationary wage increases” were unrealistic.
Rather, it proposes a 3% pay rise for most teachers in 2023-24, as part of below-inflation wage recommendations for millions of public sector workers.
Members of the National Education Union are staging regional strikes in the West Midlands, East Midlands and East of England areas on Wednesday.
Three more regions will follow on Thursday before a nationwide strike across England and Wales on March 15-16.
Mr Hickford of Meole Brace, who currently teaches art and photography at Shrewsbury Academy, said he started teaching three years ago and earned about £25,000, which has risen to almost £32,000 in December thanks to national pay rises.
The father-of-two’s monthly expenses, which included rent for his family’s flat in Shrewsbury, childcare, food, running a car and a loan to pay for his car, totaled around £1,900, just below his net salary of £1,975, he said .
After his car broke down, he said he needed a loan to replace it and gave up his pension to pay for it and do other things like childcare.
“A bit of bad luck and things can really snowball,” he said.
His wife, who is self-employed and runs a custom art business on Etsy, is a contributor, but the family has also struggled after being placed in the wrong tax bracket after the pandemic, making it difficult to build savings, he said .
Teachers’ work has become increasingly stressful, he said, as grading, planning, collecting and tracking grade data and risk assessments, and helping and advising students led to long hours.
He said he was forced to apply to organizations or charities for a hardship grant.
“I don’t want to and have tried to find other options. I’ve sold all my camping stuff and game consoles – you have to prioritize and do what you can,” he said.
“I know that I’m not as bad as some, I’m aware of that. I’m a full-time employee, I’m in a certain position, but it’s not very easy for teachers at the moment.”
Teachers need a fully funded pay rise, he said, as the cost of living and salaries didn’t match the increase and it was difficult to keep his salary up through the month.
- When are there strikes and what are teachers paid?
- Teacher strikes: What parents need to know
- Who goes on strike, when and what salary does he want?
Teacher salaries in England have fallen by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022 after accounting for rising prices, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
Most state school teachers in England and Wales had a 5 per cent top-up in 2022 paid from existing school budgets.
With many budgets already tight, Mr Hickford called for additional government funding to protect schools’ finances.
“There will be layoffs and cutbacks on niche issues like food, photography, textiles, dance,” he said.
“After the last round of dismissals, there are already only three teaching assistants at my school.
“It’s a profession that needs to change. I have no regrets teaching, but if someone had spelled out the ins and outs of everything I might have changed my mind.”
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the Government has already agreed to spend an additional £2bn
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter And Instagram. Submit your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
Add Comment