Teacher pay

Looking at my pay this month I was a little disheartened. It wasn’t really a lot for all the work I’ve put in so far. My school pay less than the current M1. Did anyone else feel like this during the nqt. It’s just very little. Does it even move up in the second nqt year?

Looking at my pay this month I was a little disheartened. It wasn’t really a lot for all the work I’ve put in so far. My school pay less than the current M1. Did anyone else feel like this during the nqt. It’s just very little. Does it even move up in the second nqt year?

It is typical that passing your NQT (or now the first year of ECT, I suppose) leads to you moving one rank up the pay scale. Teacher pay isn't loads early on, but personally I found that it compared to what most of my friends were earning fresh out of uni. I think it can also feel like less depending on where you live - my area is pretty cheap to live in, so I don't find it too difficult, but my friends in London struggle even with the increased pay.

Did you know about the pay situation when you signed your contract? It should have been made clear to you what you would be paid, and if you were told it would be M1 and it's less, then I'd get in touch with your union rep about that. I'm assuming your school is an academy or independent school, but if it's not then do get in touch with your union, as maintained schools have to follow the pay scales as far as I know. Ultimately, if you're not happy with the pay situation at your school, then you'd be best to stay on the lookout for a position at another school.

Are you on the right tax code?

I believe so. It’s NI contribution then pension contribution. Which I could opt out of but I think it would be silly to.

I suspect you aren't because the code assumes you've been on the same pay since April ...

Not to sound stupid but where do I find the tax code?

It is typical that passing your NQT (or now the first year of ECT, I suppose) leads to you moving one rank up the pay scale. Teacher pay isn't loads early on, but personally I found that it compared to what most of my friends were earning fresh out of uni. I think it can also feel like less depending on where you live - my area is pretty cheap to live in, so I don't find it too difficult, but my friends in London struggle even with the increased pay.

Did you know about the pay situation when you signed your contract? It should have been made clear to you what you would be paid, and if you were told it would be M1 and it's less, then I'd get in touch with your union rep about that. I'm assuming your school is an academy or independent school, but if it's not then do get in touch with your union, as maintained schools have to follow the pay scales as far as I know. Ultimately, if you're not happy with the pay situation at your school, then you'd be best to stay on the lookout for a position at another school.

It specifically stated mps 1 on the application form. Its an academy. Monthly with deductions it’s not a lot, around 1.6k. I earnt more in a job that I was doing in retail before. It’s not the place but I think the pay is significantly low, I am looking out but I think they say round xmas there’s a lot more. Atm there isn’t much going.

OP is being paid M1 less last year's optional pay rise (this has been discussed on another thread). As far as I'm aware, this is totally legal, as schools were allowed to not give the pay rise last year.

Not to say it's right or not, but I think it's legal.

With all due respect, I think £1600 is a lot. I am on £200 a month above that and with my wife's student loan and bursary, we live a very comfortable life in a nice house in a nice area with two kids. How much exactly do you spend a month???? If you are based in the south, perhaps you need to look for cheaper areas?

With all due respect, I think £1600 is a lot. I am on £200 a month above that and with my wife's student loan and bursary, we live a very comfortable life in a nice house in a nice area with two kids. How much exactly do you spend a month???? If you are based in the south, perhaps you need to look for cheaper areas?

Do you suggest children in the south don't get taught? Move to a cheaper areas doesn't work on a national scale, does it?

I don't have an issue with my pay but I always find this argument bizarre.

It does make sense. There are places within a few miles of where I live where I could pay doubt the mortgage / rent for the same sized accommodation. I always remember watching Location, Location, Location once where a couple in London turned down an amazing party flat complete with two bedrooms and garden in favour of a basement 1 bed flat at the centre of the action. The compromise - a 1 mile walk. One of the wonderful things about being a teacher is you are not tied to a particular area. You can teach anywhere.

And the areas where no early career teachers can afford to live? What happens to them?

They go up the pay scale. By the time you end up on UPS 3, you are on £40k. Not bad for 39 weeks work.

I know it is an unpopular opinion, but teachers are very well paid when you take into account holidays and pension provision.

They go up the pay scale. By the time you end up on UPS 3, you are on £40k. Not bad for 39 weeks work.

I know it is an unpopular opinion, but teachers are very well paid when you take into account holidays and pension provision.

I’m not sure you’re really grasping the issue here. Think about it this way: Because of the high cost of living in outer London, teachers payscales are adjusted and teachers working in outer London receive additional weighting. However, there are many areas in the South of England where house prices and cost of living are just as inflated as in outer London but teachers do not receive additional weighting. This is a concern, because teachers are essential workers and our current situation is that they are being priced out of working in particular areas. These areas then suffer from a shortage of experienced teachers as teachers who hit the age where they’d like to settle down and buy a property are forced to move to area with lower cost of living.