Anyone know where returning teachers start again on the pay scale?

[CookieMama2805]

Hi, I’m new here... I’m thinking of returning to work as a primary school teacher when my youngest starts school in September. I’ve been away from school teaching for 7 years and was on M3 when I left but am aware that pay portability is no longer a given in the profession. Does anyone have any experience of returning to teaching recently and was the pay point that you left at taken into consideration?
I’d be very grateful for any info that anyone has.

TIA xx

I just returned after 5 years out and went back on the pay scale I was on. I provided my last pay slip as proof and then that's what I was put down as!

That’s good news 👍🏼 I’ll have to see if I can find any old payslips.. thanks for replying :-)

Have you been doing something else in the interim? If so, don't dismiss the skills you've built up in that time and use them for leverage to try and negotiate back in at at least where you left off if not higher. If you don't ask you don't get.
I recently accepted a job and there was a bit of back and forth about my salary. They offered me M6 which was the last salary I was on when I last worked in the state sector in 2016. I then worked in private and international schools for a few years, including HoD roles. When they offered me M6 I just outright asked for UPS1 instead, to take into account my leadership and international experience and the CPD I've been up to in that time. They agreed pretty quickly, don't be frightened to value what you've been doing.

@CookieMama2805

That’s good news 👍🏼 I’ll have to see if I can find any old payslips.. thanks for replying :-)

No worries - there wasn't even any questions about it not being what I'd left off as....They asked me in the interview what my last pay scale was and then that was that!

@CookieMama2805

That’s good news 👍🏼 I’ll have to see if I can find any old payslips.. thanks for replying :-)

No worries - there wasn't even any questions about it. They asked me in the interview what my last pay scale was and then that was all that was said.

Just as a word of warning... There is no portage anymore for your pay scale. The responses so far have been positive, which is great, but be aware that it often isn't the case. If you teach an in demand subject in secondary then you are like lay to be able to pick up your pay scale where you left off, however I know many many colleagues (Primary) who after a break in teaching (children/other careers etc), couldn't get a job back on their old pay scale, especially those formally on UPS. You need to negotiate in the interview, and schools can offer whatever they see fit. Please don't assume.

I had to go back to M6 when I returned after 5 years out. Been stuck there ever since!

Same situation here after 3 years out and looking at getting back into it in September. I was on UPS1 before I left (& on SLT)and reckon I’ll be offered M4 or M5 perhaps? I guess it depends on whether you’ll be expected to take on any subject leadership roles etc. I’ve just been looking at part time class teacher roles. If this is discussed at interview I have no idea what I’ll say 😬