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The Department for Education is to offer up to £6,000 to teachers working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, as well as early years education, from September.
The incentive is part of the government’s drive to support schools and colleges to recruit and retain early years, further education and STEM subject teachers. Backed by a £200 million investment over the next two years, it is being offered through the government’s levelling up premium doubling payment scheme introduced in 2022 to support schools in disadvantaged areas across the country.
The expansion to teachers working in further education, early years, building and construction, digital, engineering, manufacturing and transport engineering and electronics will see the existing levelling up premium payments doubled. The aim is to make sure more young people continue to have access to education and training, while plugging skills gaps and boosting the economy.
Gillian Keegan, education secretary, said: “By offering incentives of up to £6,000, we’re ensuring schools and colleges can support the recruitment and retention of dedicated teachers in high priority subjects and in the areas that need them most. This will make a real difference to schools and colleges across the country allowing them to provide world class education for all ahead of the Advanced British Standard, while giving businesses the skilled workers they need to drive economic growth.”
David Hughes, chief executive at the Association of Colleges, added: “This extra funding will help attract and retain key staff in colleges, so I welcome the expansion of the levelling up premium. The issue of teacher recruitment is one of the most pressing challenges facing the sector, particularly in these key areas where experts working in industry are likely to earn salaries significantly beyond those of teachers.”
