'Golden handcuffs' for teachers who move to tough schools

The "golden handcuffs", announced today as part of the government's social mobility white paper, will be offered to high performing teachers who work in tough schools for at least three years.

Schools eligible for the programme, which starts in September 2009, will include National Challenge and secondary schools where 30 per cent or more pupils receive free school meals.

But Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said the bonuses scheme is the wrong way to increase social mobility.

She said: "It will be grossly unfair to the teachers who already work in those schools, and risks damaging morale and creating divisions between staff. We have yet to see any evidence it will work."

Deborah Simpson, principal officer for pay and conditions at education union Voice agreed that the scheme would be divisive.

She said: "Teachers who work in challenging schools are motivated by more than cash. Ministers cannot solve recruitment issues simply by writing cheques. They seem to think that everything has its price, but they need to address the fundamental issues those schools and their communities face - social and family breakdown, crime, unemployment, lack of self-esteem and poverty."

But Chris Keates, general secretary of teaching union NASUWT said that the new measures recognise that fact that some schools face greater challenges than others.

Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers played down the importance of the scheme.

She said: "Golden handcuffs may have a minor effect."