Am i on the right pay scale?

[Thelittlenuthouse]

I left the UK on MP4 roughly 6 years ago and have held a HOD role in 2 schools whilst I’ve been away. Back now to look after aging parents. To aid my transition back to the UK, I applied for a 2ic role and have receive a contract on MP6 with TLR2a. Is this the right payscale for me or should I expect to be higher?

There's no pay portability these days. You can ask for more but really that should have been done at interview.

It all depends on the school really. How big it is, how much money they have, what the expectations are… etc. I was on the same about 6 years ago in a medium sized secondary school with little pressure, but I would expect more in a school which was on a turnaround or newly joined a large MAT as the expectations would be high.

Thanks @MrsHamlet

I didn’t raise it at interview as I didn’t think that was the right time esp as the role was for MPS/UPS so I made an assumption but in hindsight….

@GretchenWienersHair it’s a small MAT but also a new school.

Im wondering wether is worth bringing it up with HR before signing.
This was for an assistant role rather than HOD so was hopi my current experience would have done the talking!

@

I’d say that was right, You can’t go above MPS without applying and giving evidence of whole school impact over 2 years. I’d expect a second in dept to be TLR2, TLR1 is for having responsibility for staff so that is generally for a head of department role.

I would make sure when you are doing performance targets you discuss UPS with SLT and make sure your on track for that.

I doubt they will just award you ups if you've not applied for it before now.

As @MrsHamlet says, pay portability went years ago so this is somewhat academic but nevertheless they are offering you the maximum you can expect if you've never progressed through the threshold. I would say something along the lines of 'had I remained in the UK I would have put in a threshold application by now. Please can I see a copy of your pay policy to know when I would be eligible to apply for assessment?'.

You have to be able to show 'substantial and sustained' contributions to the school and in most instances evidence from other settings won't count, I'm afraid. TLR2a is at the lower end of normal for a 2ic role.

Update

I went back to the school and asked them to take another look at the payscale on the contract and they sent me a new contract with UPS1 and TLR2a. I appreciate that whilst I have 14years experience teaching science, I have been out of ‘the system’ for the last 6 years so I’ll take it.

Suppose once I get it it he grove I’ll let my work do the talking…

That’s a pleasant surprise, OP. Most schools can’t do that if you haven’t done a threshold application. Someone may have made a mistake in your favour.

I agree that you have been lucky. A maintained school that follows the STPCD shouldn't be paying you on the upper pay scale unless you have been assessed as meeting the threshold standards.

Academies have more flexibility of course.