TAMESIDE’S education sector is in line for millions of pounds of bonuses from the Government as part of its bid to level up.
Teachers of maths, physics, chemistry and computing in disadvantaged schools will receive tax-free payments of up to £3,000 per year over the next three school years, they can claim from September.
And £4.5 million has been allocated to nine establishments in the borough – one of 55 in the country designated as an Education Investment Area – to improve the quality of their classrooms and learning environments.
The funding forms part of the Government’s continued drive to level up education across England, ensuring every child receives a world-class education and giving them the opportunity to fulfil their potential and secure the jobs needed to support our economy, no matter where they grow up.
The Levelling Up Premium, expected to be worth £60 million over the three years, is intended to improve pupil outcomes across the country by helping to retain specialist teachers working in disadvantaged areas.
High quality STEM teaching, delivered by teachers specifically trained in these subjects, will also more effectively support pupils who fell behind during the covid pandemic.
The Levelling Up Premium will help raise school standards in the near term, and also boost employment and opportunities for pupils in the future by enabling them to fill skills gaps and secure higher wage jobs, in turn benefitting the broader economy.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “The quality of pupils’ education in crucial subjects like maths and science should not be dependent on where they live, and teachers shouldn’t feel that they must leave their local area for a better paid job.
“Our Levelling Up Premium will help give children and young people in Tameside the best specialist teaching in maths, physics, chemistry and computing, while supporting jobs in low-income areas, helping to level up education for all and grow the economy.”