Reception teachers are the most important

Teachers working with children under the age of five should be able to command larger salaries as this is the most important period in the education system, it has been stated.

Harvard economists recently suggested that reception teachers should earn £200,000 each year as this is equivalent to their education value.

Research from Harvard noted that teachers who give a good classroom experience to early-years pupils could increase the collective earnings of one class by this sum.

According to the Times Educational Supplement, Chris Davis, of the National Primary Headteachers' Association, is in agreement of the importance of youngsters receiving good early schooling.

He said: "The influence of early years on a child's long-term education is crucial.

"I always felt that the most important job in the whole school was the reception teacher. The better the experience of the child pre-five, the better value you will get from them post-five."

The Training and Development Agency stated earlier this year that the number of men applying to teach children at primary school level had grown by 52 per cent in comparison with the same period in 2009.



Published On 06/08/2010