Pay question - sorry it’s possibly stupid!

[Taylorlovestravis]

Out of interest, could anyone tell me what I’d be paid (or thereabouts) if I worked in a state school? I have been a teacher in independent schools for twenty years now, with two years off for babies and part time hours ever since. I’m a head of department with a class and my full time salary would be around £35,000. Is this equivalent to being employed in a state school? I’m primary trained and this is a prep school (primary age range).

Head of Department in a primary? How does that work? Never heard of that before..
Subject Co-ordinator I have.

I’d say about 45 -50k.

Yes I imagine it’s the independent school equivalent to subject coordinator? I haven’t been in state for so long so no idea. Also not in TPS anymore…

I love my job with no plans to leave by the way, just curious. Seems there is far more opportunity for salary progression in state.

After 20 years you would likely be on UPS 3, which outside of London and the fringe is currently just over £49k. You might also receive a TLR2 for co-ordinating a core subject, which could be in the region of £5k - but many subject co-ordinators don't receive any additional payments in primary schools. In terms of pay progression you would likely have hit a ceiling unless you were interested in progressing to a senior leadership role.

For context, circa £35k is equivalent to M3, so where a state teacher would expect to be in their third year after QTS.

It’s lucky I’m in it for the love not money! 😅

Thanks - interesting!