Temporary primary and secondary school teachers (FOI)

Request

A

How many primary and secondary school teachers are currently working on the Island, in state schools, that are employed (A) on a temporary or contract basis via a UK agency and (B) are being provided with free or subsidised accommodation as part of their role?

B

What is the average per annum equivalent cost of such individuals described in A above, considering their gross salary, fees paid to the UK agencies, relocation and ongoing travel costs, accommodation costs, and any other allowances not otherwise afforded to Jersey-domiciled teachers employed directly?

Response

A

The supply teachers working on a temporary basis in state schools with accommodation as part of their employment are paid for their teaching (invoiced directly to the school and paid from their normal supply and teaching budget) on a day-by-day basis.  If they are unwell or have to return to the UK at short notice they are paid for the days they have worked.  

There are currently 11 teachers employed in this way on a contract until Easter.

10 teachers are expected to continue until July.

6 - 8 teachers are expected to be needed for the full year.

B

The agency teachers are being housed at an average cost of 1,850 per month per person or £22,200 per annum.

In addition, a return flight per term at £300 per person or 900 per year is paid for.

Total average accommodation and travel cost per teacher place is £23,100.

The cost to the schools is on average £313.88 per teacher per day.  This includes all agency fees. The salary that the teacher receives is paid to them by the supply agency after their fees are deducted.  The teacher then pays tax, National Insurance, pension costs etc., in their home domicile.  

On average a UK based supply teacher paid on this average rate will earn between £30,000 and £40,000 gross depending on their experience.  This reflects their pattern of working with no holiday pay, and no sick pay outside of their day rate.

If a supply teacher is employed for the full 187 days of a school year at £313.88 per day (which is unlikely to be the case as this programme is predominantly filling parental leave contracts and extended ill health cover) the maximum cost to the school budget in Jersey is: £58, 695.  

By way of comparison, the on-island cost of an experienced teacher without additional responsibility points is a salary to the teacher of £57,754.  The cost of this teacher to the school / Government of Jersey budget is greater, as the additional oncosts of pension contributions add 21% to the salary creating an overall cost of £69,882.

6 teachers at £1,416 per month for 12 months = £101,952 total or 16,992 per person.

Total for 6 = 13,992 - 5 primary – leaving either at Easter or July; after that will move secondary teachers into this accommodation.

5 teachers at £2,600 per month for 7 months = 127,400 total or 18,200 per person – 1 primary leaves in July, 4 secondary – will move to cheaper accommodation above if they stay for autumn.