What would I get paid?

[OverTheMooon]

Hi teachers,
I'm moving back to England after 12 years abroad. I have 13 years teaching experience, mostly in international schools. For the last 2 years, I have had a leadership role (head of my very small department) alongside teaching and have been paid extra for that.
I'm looking at pay scales and have absolutely no idea what I could expect to be paid. I'm looking at primary classroom teaching jobs, state or private, most likely no leadership role (although maybe some extra responsibility, but probably not head of dept), most likely Inner London. I found the pay scales easy enough, but I couldn't figure out which spine point I would be on. I've never taught in England. Can anyone advise? Thank you!

It would totally depend.

With 13 years experience you could be all the way on UPS3 but equally a lot of schools will only offer jobs on the main pay scale and it would totally depend on the school how they chose to see your experience in terms of where they’d put you on that.

There don’t tend to be many additional responsibility payments in state primaries - nearly everyone leads a subject without additional pay in most cases. You may get an additional payment (TLR) for eg being a phase or key stage leader, or part of a Senior Leadership team.

You'd have more chance of getting paid more in areas which struggle to recruit teachers so in London, it might be possible to get UPS with a TLR.

Where I am even long standing teachers struggle to get moved onto UPS. I moved schools with similar experience to you, probably more leadership experience, and was considered lucky because the school were willing to pay M6 for me. But I'm in an area where there aren't that many jobs because nobody moves on. Most jobs that there are are temporary and generally maternity covers and most advertise at M1-3.

Location will be key!

I did the same thing as you in July... My advice would be take advantage of the situation in terms of not having to do face to face interviews at the moment (makes it a more even playing field with local candidates), and yes you may have to consider less attractive schools initially.
I ended up getting UPS 3 straight away, although my subject is in demand and my school really needed those teachers (3 started at the same time, same subject!). I work for a MAT though which is a whole new thing for me, it's a bit bonkers as they can sort of do what they want which is good (for my pay) and bad (I have teaching colleagues who are not qualified teachers in any way, which I find astonishing).
Be prepared to be shocked at a) behaviour, b) lack of tech c) the very very very slow wheels of change which is a state system in somewhat of a crisis right now
Saying all of that I am very pleased I moved as I am now in a secure job and, despite the current shit show which is the UK pandemic, I am happy to be back here. Good luck.

I did the same thing as you in July... My advice would be take advantage of the situation in terms of not having to do face to face interviews at the moment (makes it a more even playing field with local candidates), and yes you may have to consider less attractive schools initially.
I ended up getting UPS 3 straight away, although my subject is in demand and my school really needed those teachers (3 started at the same time, same subject!). I work for a MAT though which is a whole new thing for me, it's a bit bonkers as they can sort of do what they want which is good (for my pay) and bad (I have teaching colleagues who are not qualified teachers in any way, which I find astonishing).
Be prepared to be shocked at a) behaviour, b) lack of tech c) the very very very slow wheels of change which is a state system in somewhat of a crisis right now
Saying all of that I am very pleased I moved as I am now in a secure job and, despite the current shit show which is the UK pandemic, I am happy to be back here. Good luck.

Oops apologies for the multi posts!
I was going to add that I am also primary (I work in a middle school now) and you won't necessarily get any more money in private, although holidays will be better (longer days though).
There are quite a few agencies around, get into linked in and start networking!

Joining this thread with interest; I am also moving back to the UK (in June) and currently applying for jobs. Managed to get a zoom interview in Jan at a MAT in a traditionally difficult school. When I last worked in the UK I was on M6 and have done 5.5 years since in indie/international including HoD. I am applying for line teacher roles (do not want HoD) and really hoping if I can get a job offer, to talk someone into UPS1. I know this is difficult though especially in the current financial climate so fully expecting to only be able to get a main scale offer (I cant really afford lower than M6 though). Interested to see how you get along op.

With no additional responsibility sounds like m6 really.

@Russell19

With no additional responsibility sounds like m6 really.

Yes, you will be lucky to get more than M6 as most primary posts are advertised as M1-M6. If you take on significant additional responsibility then you might be able to negotiate UPS1 or a TLR. I think the fact that you have been abroad for a while may mean you initially need to suck up an M6 post though.

For context I was an AHT on L7 for 8 years. When I stepped down to a class teacher role after maternity I was put on UPS1.
Since leaving my previous school I've had to accept M6 and it's been a struggle to even get interviews as schools don't seem to like paying above M4.
It might be easier in London though.

Thank you for the replies, everyone. It is really helpful. @Penyu and @Ploughingthrough, can I message you both directly? It seems we have a lot in common and I'd love to know more.
What is MAT?

Ah, ok, just googled MAT and I know what that is now. Should have done that first.
How competitive are jobs in London these days?

Hi OverTheMoon feel free to message me. Multi Academy Trust.

@Penyu - last question! Can you recommend an agency? I am registered with Carney Sandoe but they are more international than UK-based. I'm on TES every day. I'm on linked in as well. Where else should I register?