David Hart, leader of the National Association of Head Teachers, says that what is needed to recruit and reward teachers properly is a twin-track approach covering both contract and salary: "Professional pay for a professional job. High pay for high performance."

Hear some of the key points from David Hart's speech

He estimates that the government needs to spend an extra £3.1bn on schools before the next election - over and above what is needed for pay, computerisation and a new special educational needs policy.

In his address to the Association's annual conference in Eastbourne, Mr Hart said: "The size of the teacher recruitment crisis is there for all to see" - but the government's response has been "lukewarm".

"Despite its assertion that teachers must be valued, motivated, recognised and supported, it misguidedly decided to phase the current year's pay award. No real consideration was given to the adverse effect on recruitment or morale.

"Education, education, education may be the motto. But teachers, teachers, teachers are the key. And they need to be recruited."

Flexibility

Mr Hart advocates a more flexible contract system, allowing headteachers to enter into 'second' contracts with their staff to meet specific additional needs such as clubs, plays and sports fixtures.

The salary structure should be revamped completely, he said, to move away from the "pitifully low" average salary of £23,000.

There should be a main grade running from £16,000 to £40,000. This would recognise good teachers by requiring the annual approval of their headteachers for them to rise above £23,000.

The top level above £31,000 would be reserved for teachers who took on significant additional responsibilities.

Mr Hart took a swipe at the government's Advanced Skills Teacher proposal, intended to reward those who stay in the classroom rather than moving into managerial positions.

"The idea that those in management do no teaching is ludicrous in the extreme," he said. "There are many very good teachers holding posts of real responsibility."

There would be an enormous resulting impact on the pay of heads and deputy heads, he said, given the need for a minimum differential of 20%.

Resources

Mr Hart said the government had made "a real start" in addressing the under-funding left by the previous administration, but there are major obstacles in the way of the money getting to schools.

He took local education authorities to task for failing to pass on the money, often by spending below the amount they are deemed to need for education.

"It beggars belief that you should be expected to deliver a national curriculum, prepare pupils for national tests and examinations, operate under a national inspection system and implement national pay and conditions of service, with a funding system which is subject to such vast disparities," he said.

"A hundred and fifty local education authorities produce 150 different funding solutions."

He wanted there to be more of a partnership of equals between headteachers and local authorities.