Teachers' upper pay range: how to apply
What teachers need to do to apply for the upper pay scale.
Applies to England and Wales
The ‘upper pay range’ is a higher rate of pay for teachers who meet certain conditions.
We introduced new arrangements for applying for the upper pay range on 1 September 2013.
Find details about the upper pay range in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) 2015.
Apply for the upper pay range
You should apply for the upper pay range through your school.
Ask your school for a copy of their pay policy. This will explain:
- how to apply for the upper pay range
- how the process works
- when to apply and any deadlines
If you are employed by your local authority, their pay policy will explain how to apply.
Teachers who have moved schools
If you are on the upper pay scale and have recently moved schools, you may have to reapply for the upper pay scale. Your new school may accept the previous school’s assessment, or they may want to assess you against their own criteria.
If your new school does place you on the upper pay range, they don’t have to match your previous salary.
Eligibility for upper pay range
You can decide whether or not you wish to apply to be paid on the upper pay range.
Schools maintained by the local authority
All qualified classroom teachers at maintained schools can apply for the upper pay range.
Teachers on statutory induction can also apply.
Teachers employed by a local authority
You can apply for the upper pay scale if you are an unattached teacher (employed by a local authority, but not attached to a particular school.)
Schools not maintained by the local authority
Non-maintained schools don’t have to follow the same rules as maintained schools about teachers’ pay.
If you work at a non-maintained school, including academies and free schools, you should discuss your eligibility and the application process with your school.
Supply teachers from private agencies
Private agencies, like other private employers, don’t have to follow the rules in the STPCD.
If you work for a private agency, you should discuss your eligibility and the application process with them.
Criteria for the upper pay range
There are 2 conditions you must meet to be paid on the upper pay range:
- you’re highly competent in all elements of:
- the Teachers’ Standards if you work in England
- the Practising Teacher Standards if you work in Wales
- you’ve made substantial and sustained achievements and contribution to an educational setting or settings
Your school’s pay policy will explain how they:
- interpret these criteria
- decide whether you’ve met the criteria
Evidence
Your school’s pay policy will explain what evidence you need to provide to make sure you meet the criteria.
Most schools will ask for the results of your appraisals or reviews, including any recommendations on pay.
How your school assesses your application
The relevant body (usually your school’s governing body) will assess your application to see if you meet the criteria. The STPCD explains how they should do this.
They can decide to delegate the assessment process to your headteacher (or to a person with management responsibility if you are an unattached teacher).
Successful applications
If you’re successful, the school will decide how much they will pay you, in line with its pay policy.
Your school’s pay policy will also explain how you can ask for feedback on your application.
Appeals process
Your school’s pay policy will explain how to appeal against pay decisions.
Last updated 11 August 2015 + show all updates
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Updated to make it clear how teachers should apply for the upper pay range and to link to the 2015 School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document.
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First published.