Civil Service Progression SEO to G7

[Halfeti]

Hello, I am starting a new role in the Civil Service soon and looking for thoughts about progressing and promotion. It's a complete career change for me, having spent many years as a middle leader and teacher in a large school. I will be entering at SEO grade in a policy role. I am keen to learn new skills, network, focus on my development and learn CS procedures. I took a pay cut to enter the CS which I am happy to do but I would like to secure a promotion in the future. Am I correct in thinking SEO to G7 is a big hurdle? Does anyone have experience of how long it took to progress from SEO to G7? Any tips and advice for progressing in the CS?
Thanks

[Omo9Nja]

Very true

And, the 'Snowy Peaks' in the CS means that at certain grades the vista suffers from cultural homogeneity.

[emsyj37]

G7 salary bands do vary between departments- certainly G7 minimum outside London is over 50k in my dept. I did an accelerated development programme to get to G7, and in my dept it is very difficult to get G7 without going through that route as most roles at that grade require technical knowledge. I have never done (and would never want to do) any form of people management.
It is impossible to generalise about the CS, as each department is very different.