Education Minister Alex Allinson says he ’regrets’ that the island’s biggest teaching union has rejected the government’s latest pay deal.

His department has earmarked £1.5m to settle the long-running teachers’ pay dispute.

All the unions involved - apart from NASUWT - have accepted the deal, which would see a one-off lump sum of £2,850 for senior leaders and £1,850 for those on the upper pay range.

The union, which is to ballot for strike action next month, said the offer was ’derisory and unacceptable’.

Mr Allinson said that he welcomed the agreement made by most teachers’ unions on a deal which ’recognises’ issues around pay and remuneration.

The National Association of Headteachers, the Association of School and College Leaders and the National Education Union backed the deal.

The department said that while it appreciated the pay offer doesn’t resolve concerns regarding pay ’erosion’, it aims to enable the resolution of all current disputes.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture also agreed to a ’partnership forum’, which would enable a range of education policy matters to be discussed, including those identified in the Beamans review, including inspection arrangements, school review framework and process and governance and governing body structures.

It also agreed to re-open pay talks once the longer term financial situation following the pandemic is clearer.

Mr Allinson said: ’By resetting the culture, putting people and relationships at the heart of what we do, I believe we can move forward together to face all the challenges ahead and ensure we have a resilient and pupil-focused education service for the future.

’I regret that the NASUWT has been unable to agree with the offer presented and understand they wish to ballot for strike action in January.

’I hope that by demonstrating a commitment to listen, respect and connect with all teachers on our island we can overcome outstanding problems.’

The DESC was rocked when the critical Beamans report was published in September.

It outlined a ’fractured’ relationship between the department and schools.

Mr Allinson, who took over as minister in March, this week said: ’Over the last few years a culture had developed within education of mistrust and teachers not feeling valued or respected.

’Our education service is a vital part of our community and shapes our society.

’It provides teaching and learning opportunities for our young people and helps instil the values, hopes and aspirations we have for all our futures.’