The Government has now announced the proposed increases to pay for Teachers in maintained Schools from September 2024. On 29th July the Government published the independent School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) report, including their recommendations on Teachers’ pay.
The Government has accepted the STRB’s recommendations in full and it is proposed the following increases will be applied from 1st September:
• A 5.5% uplift to the:
o minimum and maximum values of all the teaching and leadership pay ranges
o advisory pay points (where schools follow these)
o minimum and maximum values for TLR and SEN allowances.
These increases are mandatory for all Maintained Schools. Academies are not obliged to follow the statutory pay award - although many still choose to do so.
Pay decisions effective from 1st September 2024 continue to be based upon evidence of performance as demonstrated through the appraisal process.
Depending on the arrangements for pay progression set out within the School’s Pay Policy, many teachers are likely to receive an increase greater than this in recognition of their performance during the past appraisal cycle.
The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Philipson, also confirmed that it is the Government’s intention to implement measures to improve the experience of being a teacher and reduce workload – including changes to existing teachers’ terms and conditions set out in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document.
To this end the Government has announced that from the start of the next pay and appraisal cycle in September 2024 Schools will no longer be required to operate performance related pay – although may continue to retain some or all elements of the current performance related pay arrangements should they wish. However the requirement to appraise teachers will remain and pay decisions should continue to be made after their annual appraisal.
It was also confirmed that from 1st September 2024 teachers may request to undertake some or all of their Planning Preparation and Assessment time at home to provide greater flexibility.
Next steps
There now follows a 10-week statutory consultation period on the proposed changes after which any revisions will be laid before Parliament for approval. Therefore it is unlikely the revised STPCD and pay award will be confirmed until mid October.
School Leaders and Governing Bodies may wish to begin to have provisional discussions about how to implement this year’s proposed changes in line with the School’s current pay policy and their own budgetary position.
However, Schools are strongly advised not to finalise their pay policy or make any decisions regarding pay until this year’s pay award is confirmed.
Schools should plan to complete their end of year review meetings and year end documentation with teaching staff.
HR Connect customers can access full details on this latest development, including our Model Pay Policy and guidance on notifying us of changes through our KnowledgeBase portal article here >>
Further Resources:
Ministerial Statement: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - (UK Parliament website) >>
STRB Pay Review Body Report: School Teachers’ Review Body – Thirty-Fourth Report - 2024 (publishing.service.gov.uk website) >>
Dfe Guidance on Managing Teachers’ and Leaders’ pay – for 2024/25 pay and appraisal cycle (non statutory): Managing Teachers’ and Leaders’ Pay - July 2024 (publishing.service.gov.uk website) >>
