Teachers are distrustful of the performance-pay system and fear it will cause conflict in the staffroom, suggests a survey.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has published a survey which shows that a majority of teachers believe that it could cause divisions among teachers.

But nonetheless, the ATL says the survey shows that teachers want to receive the money for which they have applied - and it is calling on the National Union of Teachers not to cause unnecessary delay.

The NUT has successfully challenged the introduction of performance pay in court - with the government forced to postpone payments.

But the ATL says that the "message for the NUT is also clear - teachers want the threshold money to be released as soon as possible".

Optimism

The experience of applying for threshold payments of �2,000 did not make teachers' feel more positive towards the pay reforms, with 80% expressing "dislike" for the performance pay process.

Among the problems identified by teachers was the length of time needed to complete the application forms, taking an average of 16 hours.

There was also doubt over the fairness of the system, with only 40% believing that the assessment system could identify the best teachers.

But there was widespread optimism among teachers that they would pass the threshold and qualify for the pay increases, with 67% expecting to be awarded performance pay rises.