Sixth form colleges

Specific advice for members about pay and conditions in sixth form colleges (the Red Book) and information about our campaigns in the sector.

Raise the Rate ask the Chancellor for more sixth form education funding

A cross-party group of 93 MPs has signed a letter to Chancellor Sajid Javid written by the NEU and other unions, urging him to prioritise investment in 16 to 18 education in the forthcoming spending review. The Education Committee report published in July, recommended that to urgently address underfunding in further education, there needs to be an increase to the base rate from £4,000 to at least £4,760, rising in line with inflation.

Sixth form college teacher's pay for 2019-20

On Wednesday 2 October, the Staff Side met representatives of the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA), the colleges’ national body, to resume discussions about sixth form college teachers’ pay from 1 September 2019.

The SFCA made an increased offer of a 1.5% increase to all teacher pay points and allowances in September 2019.  The Staff Side responded that this offer was unacceptable and asked the SFCA to reconsider its offer before the next meeting.  The Staff Side noted that the 1.5% offer was well below RPI inflation rate of 2.6% and the increase of 2.75% in school teachers’ pay for September 2019.  It would also not make good the loss of 0.5% in comparison to school teachers’ pay suffered from September 2018.   

The SFCA noted the uncertainty on funding for sixth form colleges and suggested a joint statement about funding for 16-19 education, including that all colleges should receive the Teachers’ Pay Grant irrespective of status.  It was agreed that this suggestion would be considered.   

It was agreed that the negotiations would resume later in the autumn term.

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Sixth form colleges ballot and strike

The strike ballot for sixth form colleges closed on 16 September and five out of six members voted to take action – 84 per cent of members voted Yes to action and Yes to saving the sixth form sector. 

There will be a central London rally on the first strike day on 17 October to mark the beginning of a series of strike days.

Find out more

NJC national agreement conditions of service handbook

This is the national agreement on pay and conditions of service for teachers in sixth form colleges, also known as the Red Book. It includes the new pay and progression framework.

Sixth form colleges useful documents

Sixth form colleges advice and guidance