School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions 2004

The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document 2004 has now arrived in schools.  This document confirms the changes made to certain elements of the pay structures in April 2004 and details those amendments that take effect from 1^st September 2004.  The main changes can be summarised as follows:

·      Scope for progression to upper pay scale point 3 ’UPS3’ for eligible teachers;

·      Shortening of the upper pay scale, removing UPS4 and UPS5, making UPS3 the maximum point available through progression;

·      All new management allowances awarded on or after 1^st April 2004 must be for a fixed period not exceeding one year, pending a review by the pay review body of the arrangements for management allowances.

·      Removal of recruitment and retention allowances ’amount specified in the Document’ on 31^st March 2004 – other than those already being paid at that time – and the introduction of recruitment and retention incentives ’amounts not specified in the Document’ on 1^st April 2004.

·      All schools are required to have a pay policy, including arrangements for appeals;

·      External threshold assessment has been abolished and final decisions are now to be taken by the governing body.

I will write to you again in further detail, particularly with the LEA’s guidance on assessment for progression from UPS2 to UPS3, in the near future.

In the meantime, I am aware that governing bodies will be addressing the statutory annual requirement to write individually to all members of the teaching staff with confirmation of their salary arrangements as at 1^st September 2004.  In order to assist with this task, revised draft letters have been prepared and these are attached to this letter.

For your information, the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document 2004 can be accessed on the internet at:

 http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/payandperformance/pay/2004/Pay_Publication_2004/

If you have any queries relating to the pay structures for teachers, please contact your school’s Personnel Assistant in the first instance.

Draft Letter to MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF

Draft Letter to HEADTEACHER, DEPUTY HEADTEACHER’S’ AND ASSISTANT HEADTEACHER’S’