Secondary teachers - advise on UPS2

[Jen1978]

I am currently on maternity leave (been off since april) due to go back in Feb. In sept next yr (2008) I am due to go up to uPS2. Does anyone know if being on maternity leave will affect my ability to be assessed to move up to this level? Will I have to wait until I have "made up" the time I have been off on maternity?

I went to UPS3 in Sept. Was off some of on mat leave for part of time. I still got it no probs. However my head said that it was discretionary as to whether you got it if you hadn't done a full 2 years since your last UPS increase. I would contact the union because it is such a grey area. I think with the new performance related pay performance management it has got even greyer!! We have been told we must meet our targets to progress up to next threshold (those who still can go up). Therefore if based on GCSE targets and you have no evidence of them as you haven't taught them in Year 11 due to mat leave then may not get it. WHAT A MINEFIELD!!!!!