Teachers Pay Award – Schools Heads / Business Admin comms

As you may be aware, the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) recommendations for the pay awards for 2017/2018 have been accepted by the Government.

We will be amending the Teachers Pay Scales held in the payroll system, for those using Serco as their payroll provider, as follows:

·  2% uplift on the minimum and maximum of the main pay ranges, inclusive of a 2% uplift on all reference points in between, to include MPS 6a and 6b.

·  1% uplift on the minima and maxima of the upper pay range, the unqualified teacher pay range and the leading practitioner pay range, inclusive of 1% uplift to all reference points within these ranges.

·  1% uplift to the minima and maxima of the leadership group pay range, including an uplift of 1% to all reference point in between (inclusive of head teacher group pay ranges).

In addition it has been agreed to:

·  Apply 1% uplift to the minima and maxima of the Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) and Special Educational Needs (SEN) allowance ranges.

Whilst the reference points held on the payroll system reflect a 2% increase, as that was thought to be the most common change applied, it is important that Governing Bodies consider the affordability of any uplift applied to reference points they choose to have in place.

Before moving to change any salary each school should ensure that Governors have made an initial decision on pay. We therefore recommend that this is tabled at your next/upcoming GB meeting.

There is also a requirement to consult with staff and unions on what is proposed. Trade Unions will recommend schools implement 2% across the main pay range. It should however be noted that the position remains that all increases in pay should be performance related and there is no requirement to apply the same percentage across the range.

Revised pay scales will be uploaded onto the Grid shortly. It is envisaged that the most common options taken applied will be to either apply 2% across the main pay range or apply 2% to the M1 and M6b and then 1% for M2-M6a. Tables showing this are set out below:

1% / England & Wales / Fringe Area
2016 / 2017 / 2016 / 2017
Minimum / M1 / 22,467 / 22,917 / 23,547 / 24,018
M2 / 24,243 / 24,486 / 25,321 / 25,575
M3 / 26,192 / 26,454 / 27,269 / 27,542
M4 / 28,207 / 28,490 / 29,292 / 29,585
M5 / 30,430 / 30,735 / 31,508 / 31,824
M6a / 32,835 / 33,164 / 33,913 / 34,253
Maximum / M6b / 33,160 / 33,824 / 34,249 / 34,934
2% / England & Wales / Fringe Area
2016 / 2017 / 2016 / 2017
Minimum / M1 / 22,467 / 22,917 / 23,547 / 24,018
M2 / 24,243 / 24,728 / 25,321 / 25,828
M3 / 26,192 / 26,716 / 27,269 / 27,815
M4 / 28,207 / 28,772 / 29,292 / 29,878
M5 / 30,430 / 31,039 / 31,508 / 32,139
M6a / 32,835 / 33,492 / 33,913 / 34,592
Maximum / M6b / 33,160 / 33,824 / 34,249 / 34,934

For those schools using Serco as their payroll provider:

As at 1 September all Teachers pay, other than those on the first point of each scale, were moved from their current pay reference point onto reference point 0 - a spot salary, retaining their salary value as at 31st August 2017. Each individual school now has the discretion to award a pay increase to Teachers as appropriate and within the remit of the schools budget.

Should you wish to implement a pay award only, in line with the above, you will need to go into the SAP Portal PRP System and place your Teachers back onto their pay reference point as at 31st August.

If you wish to implement a performance award as well as the above pay award you can place the teacher on a higher reference point than before.

If you wish to implement your own value of a pay / performance award please utilise the ‘0’ pay reference point to uplift pay as appropriate.

If you do not wish to apply any pay increases for your teaching staff no further action is required as they will remain on reference point 0 and on the salary level as at 31st August, prior to any system updates.

Allowances

The PRP system also allows you to amend the value of an existing allowance. The user is presented with a screen displaying any allowances payable to a teacher as at 31st August and allows the value of the allowance to be changed.

In order for any adjustments to be included in time for the September payroll changes will need to be actioned by 18 September. If you miss the deadline date of 18 September and still wish to apply a pay award / performance payment, the PRP system will remain open and you will need to amend your Teacher pay accordingly as soon as you are able to; payments will be backdated to September.

If you have any further questions regarding payroll changes please contact the Serco HR payroll and transactions team on 01992 556500. The HfL HR Services team is also available on 01438 844873 should you need further support around your school pay arrangements.