Watchdog pulls 'misleading' teacher ad

An advertisement that seemed to suggest newly qualified teachers could earn £34,000 a year in England has been pulled by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), amid claims that it is misleading.

The commercial featured a young-looking teacher, with a voiceover stating 'you could earn 34 grand a year,' the BBC reports.

According to the ASA, this gives the impression that a typical starting salary is significantly higher than the £20,133 offered for outside of London.

The organisation acknowledged that the salary range for a teacher is £20,000 to £51,000 and that it is possible for some to earn £34,000 in their late 20s.

However, it told the news provider: 'We considered that the claim 'you could earn 34 grand a year' in conjunction with the very youthful appearance of the teacher and 'turn your talent into teaching' suggested that £34,000 was the salary for young newly qualified teachers.'

Chief Executive of the Training and Development Agency for Schools, Graham Holley, said he was 'disappointed' by the verdict.

The agency has been trying to encourage people to enter the teaching profession from a range of sectors, particularly anyone with experience in maths and sciences, subjects where there are a significant number of vacancies around the UK.