5.5% funded pay rise for teachers and binning performance related pay

[noblegiraffe]

Good news for teachers and schools as the govt accept the independent pay body review recommendation of a 5.5% pay rise across all pay points, and pledge enough extra funding to schools to pay for it.

In addition, they are scrapping performance related pay and allowing PPA to be taken at home.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-07-29/hcws35

Above and beyond is one of the most toxic overused phrases in schools (and tbh in the workplace).

And good is entirely subjective. I was horribly bullied by past SLT and a compliant HOD who said everything I did was not good. Now they have all left , suddenly my work is 'phenomenal'. (I quote...).Probably also not accurate. But imagine PRP under those circumstances.

But this is what it's like in the private sector, most people would meet the expected level and so would get the normal pay rise, those who have worked above and beyond would get a bigger pay rise because their bigger efforts would be rewarded. Why couldn't that be the same in the public sector? Not everyone would have to go the extra mile if they didn't want to but a bigger pay rise available for those that do.

My workplace changed judgements this year - observation then planning / tracking / work scrutiny. I was graded as Grade 1 (not that term, one made up by our college)

No reward for this other than having struggling staff sent to peer observe.

This year they've upped the game - want Schemes of Work written like lesson plans. I'm not fucking doing it - if my planning was outstanding last year why would I do way, way more? They're expecting more than I did as an NQT.. and I've not been one for a very, very long time!

What do you imagine working 'above and beyond' as a teacher to look like?

Going above and beyond

How many unpaid hours do you work each week?
How many weekends have you spent working unpaid this year?

It usually involves things like missing out on your lunch break to take your class swimming because they have the last slot available. To be honest 'above and beyond' happens most days for most teachers. The expectation is always there that we will do it for the children!

Oh and at a previous school we could take our PPA every 2 weeks and have the whole day off site. It actually worked really well.

Really glad this payrise is happening

I don't know as I'm not a teacher, but I'm sure there would be some examples. Not every teacher is equal or puts the same effort in, just as not all doctors, lawyers, engineers are equal. It would just be recognition of those who do which is fair enough really, why shouldn't there be the opportunity for teachers to gain a higher pay rise like there is in other jobs? And why shouldn't someone putting in that extra effort be paid more than someone under performing?

It usually involves things like missing out on your lunch break to take your class swimming because they have the last slot available.

So if you don't have a class that has a swim class scheduled at lunch time you don't get the pay rise?

So you don't know what "above and beyond" looks like.

Do you know what underperforming in teaching looks like?

There are people in between those extremes just, y'know, doing the job.

Was PRP just supposed to stop when you got to the top of payscales or did it go on forever? My school has never had it.

Are you a teacher?

I don't know as I'm not a teacher

Then you really should pay attention to what those who are are saying.

@noblegiraffe it is ridiculous. We had an award for children who go 'above and beyond' at my last school and we ended up exaggerating things just to have an award to give.

Surely doing our job to the best of our ability is good enough. To use the old comparison how does a brain surgeon go above and beyond? Do they make some extra brain cells or do they just do what is needed and do it well!

@absquatulize well my idea of underperforming would be really basic things like not giving good lessons, not preparing for lessons, being late, bad manner in the classroom, not understanding key concepts and not asking for help when needed, not completing things with deadline without discussion of the problem with their manager. Things like missing targets that rely on students getting certain grades shouldn't be included as not something that a teacher can control if there are certain circumstances.

Well, presumably then you wouldn’t be meeting the Teaching Standards.

In normal times an underperforming teacher would be put on a support plan and then either improve or be managed out.

These days there's nothing that anyone can do because there's no one to replace them.

I am, I have friends who are teachers, they are ambitious, so do well and want the opportunity to be able to gain a higher pay rise. I'm sure they don't represent all teachers and some won't want this, but these are the ones I know.

So surely the ones who aren't underperforming should be paid more?

What is a good lesson?

@absquatulize surely a good lesson is one that's easy to understand, engaging, uses different learning styles, correct information, an appropriate level for the class it's for and delivered clearly by the teacher.

Then they apply for a post with a TLR. They will get paid for the extra responsibilities that they take on and it is all done in a fair and transparent manner with a job description instead of some nebulous 'going above and beyond' (do you lose the pay rise the next year if your swim class goes back to normal time?)

@KnickerlessParsons ·
Apart from echoing what others have said in reply to your point, it is utter rubbish to state that “Everyone else's salary depends on their performance”
A quick check in my head tells me of the first 20 people whose jobs and finances are known enough to me, only 2 are on PRP. Most other professionals aren’t for example.

Has anyone actually confirmed this - that the pay scale move is automatic?