GMB, Britain’s General Union, has more than 112,000 school support staff members across the UK and is proud to celebrate the fantastic work carried out in schools by a dedicated team of support staff who make a real difference to pupil achievement.

National Teaching Assistants' Day was created to recognise the valuable contribution that teaching assistants make to the education and support of school children across the UK and GMB would like to pay tribute to all school support staff.  School support staff, which include teaching assistants, classroom support, cleaners, admin, maintenance and catering staff, are the backbone of any school that simply wouldn’t function without them and they deserve more financial reward than they are currently receiving.

Sarah Barnes, GMB Organiser, said: “On average teaching assistants have had up to £6,531 pinched from their pay packets in real terms since 2010 because of the government’s pay freeze and subsequent 1% cap on public sector pay.”

“This is not acceptable and even though Downing Street has confirmed that the seven year cap on public sector pay rises has been scrapped it will be impossible for workers to recoup lost pay.  We urge the government to give public sector workers the pay rise they so desperately need.”

“On National Teaching Assistants’ Day, the GMB calls on schools and the government to recognise the hard work, dedication and commitment that all school support staff give every single day.  With increasing workloads and decreasing pay, experienced skilled support staff are leaving education and this is an issue which needs to be immediately addressed.”

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For further details contact Sarah Barnes, GMB Lead Organiser for Academies on 07813 593 852 or 0345 337 7777

Notes to Editors: Further details on GMB’s Pay Pinch Campaign can be located at: www.gmb.org.uk/pinched