TEACHING assistants will be "devalued" by a local authority's plans to cut their pay, it has been claimed.

More than 2,700 school support staff employed by Durham County Council could be affected by a move to change their terms and conditions with some potentially losing up to £5,000 a year.

The move would see them paid for working only during term time, as opposed to the current "enhanced" 52 week pay structure, which council chiefs say is the result of a historic agreement.

Durham is only one of two Local Education Authorities in the North-East not to have changed the terms and conditions of teaching assistants in this way - the other being South Tyneside.

Academy schools, however, are not affected as they are independently controlled and not within the remit of LEAs.

Headteachers have been briefed about the changes, but letters have yet to go out to staff and the full proposals are not expected to be released until next month when a consultation will begin.

Any changes are not expected to be implemented until the start of the new school year in September next year.

Helen Metcalf, regional organiser with Unison, said there would inevitably be a "financial detriment".

She said: "Unison is urging schools to consider other models and do what they can to help their staff.

"This move will not create any savings for the authority. Teaching assistants and school support staff provide invaluable support to children and teachers, regularly working extra unpaid hours to meet pupils’ educational and emotional needs.

"This is yet another example of the devaluing of such vital roles and we need to be asking ‘What price do we put on our children’s education and wellbeing?’

Kim Jobson, head of human resources at Durham County Council, said: “There are inequalities in the current terms and conditions structure and our proposals would see teaching assistants paid only for the hours they have worked rather than the current enhanced payment, which is the result of an historic collective agreement.

"This would bring their salaries in line with other school and council support employees in order to ensure fairness and equality.

"We are currently assessing the individual impact and full support and advice will also be available to any employees affected by the proposals once the consultation with them begins.”