Management Information Sheet
School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 2013
Schools will have received comprehensive advice from the Department of Education on the implementation of the changes to teachers' pay proposed for September 2013.
The changes are intended to give schools greater flexibilities to tailor their pay policies to meet their particular needs and circumstances.
This MI Sheet summarises these changes and sets out some of the decisions that schools will have to make both before and after 1 September this year, and what support will be available from the Authority.
Summary of proposed changes
Classroom teachers
September 2013 will be the last time that classroom teachers will be awarded annual pay increments based on service. With effect from 1 September 2013, eligible teachers will automatically progress to the next point on the main pay scale for teachers.
For September 2014, the main pay scale will be replaced by the main pay range and any pay progression will be linked to performance.
Upper pay range
New arrangements for gaining access to the upper pay range come into effect from 1 September 2013 and these arrangements will apply to all classroom teachers.
Teachers will be eligible to apply for access to the upper pay spine providing that they have Qualified Teacher Status, and the criteria to be successful have been simplified.
Decisions made by one school will not be binding on other schools.
TLR3
A new Teaching and Learning Responsibility Point has been created that schools can award on a fixed term basis for time limited school improvement projects. The annual value can be within the range of £500 to £2,500
Advanced Skills Teachers (ASTs) and Excellent Teachers (ETs)
The roles of ASTs and ETs will be discontinued with effect from 1 September 2013.
Leading Practitioner role
From 1 September, 2013, schools can create new posts whose primary purpose is the modelling and leading improvement of teaching skills.
The pay range for Leading Practitioners will be introduced.
Salaries on appointment
When recruiting new teachers, there is no longer an obligation to match a teacher's existing salary.
Pay award
The Government's policy is for public sector pay awards to average 1% in each of the next two years. The Secretary of State is currently asking for recommendations on how this should be applied to teachers' pay in 2013. The School Teachers' Review Body has been asked to reply by 31 May. Any uplifts will be effective from 1 September 2013.
What schools need to consider
Schools will need to make decisions in a number of areas. These include:
- Determining how pay progression will be linked to a teacher's performance
- What their policy will be on the appointment on staff
- Whether to introduce a post of Leading Practitioner
- How they will employ any current Advanced Skills Teachers or Excellent Teachers
- What the main pay range for classroom teachers will look like for September 2014
Help and support available
The Authority is currently in the process of revising its model policies for pay and performance management to take account of the provisions of the 2013 Document. This is a major exercise that will involve consultation with the teacher unions. It is expected that drafts will be available after half term.
A number of training sessions for Headteachers and Governors are planned for dates in June and July. Further information is available from the SDMS training booking system code EPGC2 - www.cpd.norfolk.gov.uk/sdms
Schools that currently employ Advanced Skills Teachers and Excellent Teachers will be contacted by their ER Consultants to see whether help is needed in considering the future needs of the school.