Higher staff pay may mean larger classes, says Ofsted
Head teachers may have to increase class classes if they are to pay the best teachers higher wages, the chief inspector of schools in England admits.
Sir Michael Wilshaw said schools could not afford "highly paid" staff while keep class sizes small.
A new system of performance-related pay is being introduced for teachers in England from September this year.
The move has met with resistance from teachers, but the government says it is vital to recruit and reward the best.
Speaking at a seminar organised by the think-tank, Reform, Sir Michael, former head of Mossbourne Academy in Hackney, London, said: "The good heads know they have got these additional freedoms and will reorganise.
"[As] an ex-head teacher, I always said to the staff, 'I want a highly-paid staff, I want to reward those of you who are prepared to commit yourself to the school and do a good job in the classroom.
"To do that, might mean that we have larger classes. You can't have both. You can't have small classes - small groups - and a highly-paid staff.
"It might mean that head teachers have got to make [that choice]… So negotiation with the staff is going to be important."
Read more... (BBC News - 22 May)