UPS - Applying to move up?

[Grace58]

Can’t believe I am spending my summer holiday thinking about this!

I’m a part time teacher (in a reasonably in demand subject), considered to be pretty good at my job. I worked in a school that was incredibly toxic for a few years and it really knocked my confidence, nearly left teaching after that, but I fell into a school that I love - kids behaviour isn’t great but SLT are human and I work in a really nice department, so I’m really happy where I am right now!

I’m eligible to ask to move up to UPS2 this year (and suspect I would get it without quibble, I’ve never know anyone not to get their pay increases at work) but I’m starting to worry I’m getting too expensive, especially as a part time teacher with no responsibility.

Has anyone else worried about this? I know rationally that I should put in for my pay rise. But I think working in a really toxic school where expensive teachers were pushed out in favour of NQTs has made me wary. Our SLT is great, but all it takes is the head to leave and a new head to come in. And I’m also worried that I would be too expensive to move elsewhere if I needed to!

Then I think I’m already on UPS1 so might as well go for UPS2!

Has anyone else worried about this? I don’t like taking money with RL teachers, and non teachers don’t get it.

UPS rewards experience. You have the experience. You should definitely apply.

I know exactly how you feel. This is one of the many reasons why I have never bothered applying for UPS2. Despite being on UPS1 for about 8 or 9/17 years now 😔

Depends so much on your school. I was basically told I was lying when I told my old head that my friend was a UPS reception teacher with no additional responsibilities - he couldn't believe a school would do that. I'm now in a school working part time and went up to UPS1 no issues as just a classroom teacher. Do you have to actually apply for UPS2? I thought you went up after 2 years same as you do on mainscale (annually) if you pass your appraisal? Is it not too late to be thinking about this now it's summer anyway? I hope that's not the case anyway as you should be rewarded for your experience.

I think it depends very much on your school. Last time I moved schools on UPS1, I went on mat leave and then came back part time (0.8). The deputy, who had been away when I was appointed and then returned during my mat leave, kept questioning what I am doing as a whole school responsibility to deserve UPS1. I wouldn't have applied for UPS2 there and quit shortly after.
I now work abroad and we get paid according to qualification and years of experience. I don't have to apply for it. My pay simply increases because my school actually believes having experienced and well-qualified teachers is a good thing. I'm earning above UPS3 here and I'm "just" a classroom teacher.

I think it's surprising now to have ups1 without additional whole school responsibilities- well, it has been in the schools I've worked in! so I think you might as well go for ups2 if your school won't expect you to take on extra responsibilities. If you did want to change jobs in future you could always decide if you were willing to take a pay cut if needed