Island primary school head teachers will take industrial action at the start of the new term in September - if they support that move in a ballot beginning this week.

School leaders’ union NAHT is balloting members in the island in a dispute over pay.

The ballot began yesterday (Monday) and will close on Friday, August 16.

Max Kelly, president of the NAHT in the Isle of Man, said: ’The results will be known shortly after that date with any action - should the results of the ballot go that way - earmarked to take place at the beginning of the new school year in September.’

School leaders say they have been forced to accept 10 years of below-inflation pay awards, amounting to real-terms pay cuts.

Despite the School Teachers’ Review Body last year recommending a pay rise of 3.5% for all teachers and leaders, the government did not award school leaders the full amount.

But the Manx government points out that teachers’ pay here is in line with the UK and long-standing agreements with the unions.

It was the UK Secretary of State who chose not to wholly follow the recommendation of the pay review body, but instead applied differential awards to different scales, meaning school heads would only get a 1% increase.

The NAHT insists it is keen to avoid taking action and its door remains open to talks with ministers.

Rob Kelsall, NAHT national secretary, said: ’School leaders on the Isle of Man are dedicated professionals, absolutely committed to providing the best education possible for all children.

’For too long the government has taken that, and them, for granted.

’NAHT has been negotiating with employers since the start of the year, but to no avail. We are keen to avoid action, and the door remains open to further talks, but school leaders deserve a fair deal for the vital work they do.’

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT, said: ’We are right behind our colleagues on the Isle of Man.

’We have seen that failures to implement fair pay settlements for leaders and their teams have had a huge and negative impact on recruitment and retention.

’Without a skilled and motivated workforce, none of the government’s aspirations to raise the academic and social standards and outcomes for children and young people will come to fruition.

’The current pay offer does not cover the expectation placed upon Isle of Man school leaders.’

A second teachers’ union, the NASUWT, is calling for a court of inquiry into its claims that a substantial, above-inflation increase is needed to address the ’chronic’ erosion of teachers’ pay since 2010.