Teacher Pay Scale 2020-21

Despite the impact of COVID-19 during 2020, teachers have maintained standards and kept children safe. The Teacher Pay Scale sets a national expectation for what teachers earn at each stage of their career. It allows for parity when moving between jobs and provides a clear framework for pay progression. The 2020-21 teacher pay scale identifies what how much you should be paid for your work. As always we will start with the main teacher’s pay range and then look at Leadership.

Main Teacher Pay Scale 2020-21

The majority of teachers start at M1 and hopefully progress through the pay scale each year. This would mean a teacher in their sixth year after qualifying would be on the M6 band. In today’s age of heavy performance management, this isn’t always straightforward or automatic.

There are some quick calculations you can apply to figure out your hourly rate at difference stages of the pay scale.

Upper Pay Scale 2020-21

Teachers who find themselves taking more responsibility might find a pay rise to accompany it. The Upper Pay Scale is a clear progression from the main teacher pay range but is usually not an automatic process. Usually teachers at the top of M6 would need to apply or negotiate for a rise on to UPS. Duties that fulfil the UPS criteria will vary massively depending on school budget. For example, at one school the Head of Sixth Form might receive U1; at another school the Second in History might receive the same. You might argue they are not equable roles but at this level salaries begin to vary depending on individual schools. This is worth bearing in mind when you change jobs; always negotiate more than if you’d remained in your current job!

Leadership Pay Scale 2020-21

Similarly to UPS, the school Leadership definition and role will vary school to school. I was offered a Faculty Leader role on L7 in one school and L1 in another; there was considerable difference in the number of children but the role was almost identical. Leadership can include Heads of Department in some schools or might only include members of SLT; it’s a varying landscape. Another demonstration of the range of salaries from school to school is that Headteacher pay ranges from L6-L43 that’s a difference of £69,462! Scale of school, scope of role, budgets and the desperation of Governors etc. can all play a part in how much you earn in Leadership so negotiate and know your worth.