Men are under-represented in the classroom

Low-pay increases would jeopardise the professional nature of the workforce, incoming Association of Teachers and Lecturers president Julia Neal argued.

The National Union of Teachers has called for an increase in pay of 10% to keep pace with higher inflation rates.

But Schools Secretary Ed Balls has not so far responded to these for calls for increased public-sector pay.

Ms Neal warned that it would be impossible to attract more men to teach in schools unless pay rises kept pace with inflation.

Support staff also needed to have fair pay and conditions, she added.

Lack of men

Ms Neal said: "We understand why Gordon Brown is keen to keep inflation under control, but it would be hugely damaging to teaching - and children's education - if teachers� pay is allowed to fall below inflation.

"All the years of catch-up under the Labour government, which has seen teachers pay finally restored to realistic levels for a graduate entry profession, will be lost."

She added that recruitment had risen under Labour but the number of men, especially in primary schools, had remained "stubbornly low".

In 2005-6 just 14% of trainee teachers were men.

"Further work is still needed to encourage more men to see teaching as a good career option," she added.

Inflation rates

Teachers have been awarded pay rises of 5% over two years - a 2.5% pay increase last September and 2.5% increase this September.

The independent body that advises the government on teachers' pay asked for its permission to reconsider the current deal earlier this year because of higher than expected inflation levels.