Teachers' pay and conditions
In Northern Ireland agreement on teachers' pay and conditions of service is reached through the Teachers' Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools) {commonly known as the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee (TNC)), which comprises the employing authorities/employer representatives, the Department of Education (DE) and the five recognised teachers' unions (Irish National Teachers' Organisation, National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, Ulster Teachers' Union, National Education Union, and National Association of Headteachers).
Following negotiations, the Department determines teachers' pay in accordance with the provisions of Article 69 (1) and (6) of the Education and Libraries Order 1986. In doing so it issues Pay Determinations/Circulars which give legal effect to salary changes.
Teachers' (Terms and Conditions of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland 1987) (and the Amendment Regulations of 1988, No. 299) make provision as to the terms and conditions of employment of teachers in grant-aided schools and to peripatetic teachers. Other contractural changes, and agreed schemes and procedures, are normally issued by the employing authorities/employer representative bodies, and further advice on these issues is available directly from them.
Industrial action
On 17 November 2016, the Chair of TNC Management Side wrote to Chairs of Board of Governors and issued guidance on ongoing industrial action by Teachers/Principals.
Independent inquiry into teachers' pay and conditions
In June 2002, the then Minister established an independent inquiry to make recommendations on the future arrangements for teachers' pay and conditions of service in Northern Ireland. The Inquiry produced three independent reports:
Conditions of service changes
The Employers produced Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Maternity Leave and Pay for Teachers in April 2011. Any further queries on this issue should be addressed to them.
The Employers issued an addendum to the Career Break Scheme on 4 August 2010, and Procedures and Guidance for Handling Teacher Redundancies to all schools on 10 December 2013.
Salary policy guidance
This area contains guidance issued by the employing authorities/employer representatives on salary policy.
You can access appendices related to the document by using the links below:
Pay circulars
- Circular 2021/11 - Teachers' Pay and Allowances from 1 September 2020
- Circular 2021/10 - Teachers' Pay and Allowances from 1 September 2019
- Circular 2020/04 - Teachers' Pay and Allowances from 1 September 2018
- Circular 2020/03 - Teachers' Pay and Allowances from 1 September 2017
- Circular 2016/24 - Teachers' Pay and Allowances from 1 September 2016
- Circular 2016/23 - Teachers' Pay and Allowances from 1 September 2015
- Circular 2015/18 - Teachers' Pay and Allowances from 1 September 2014
- Circular 2014/13 - Teachers' Pay and Allowances from 1 September 2013.
- Circular 2011/17 Rate of Pay for Prematurely Retired Teachers from 1 September 2011 issued to all schools on 19 August 2011. It sets out a new rate of pay effective from 1 September 2011 for prematurely retired teachers who are re-employed.
Threshold and upper pay scale (UPS) progression arrangements for 2022/23
The Employing Authorities issued a letter to schools outlining threshold arrangements from September 2022 which includes:
- A quick guide
- Guidance notes
- Application form
- Principal's record form
- Feedback to teachers form
- TR268 (UPS1) form
- Handbook for threshold assessment
They also issued a letter to schools outlining the Upper Pay Scale progression arrangements from September 2022 which included:
- Guidance on UPS2 and application form
- TR268 (UPS2)
- Guidance on UPS3 and application form
- TR268 (UPS3)
Policy for teaching staff – acting up appointments and honoraria payments
From 1 September 2011, an acting-up appointments and honoraria payments policy has been in place in respect of teachers temporarily undertaking acting-up appointments or additional duties and responsibilities for which an honorarium payment may be made from schools’ delegated budgets.
Teachers Health and Wellbeing (THAW)
The Northern Ireland Teachers Health and Wellbeing Survey publishes the results of a questionnaire which all serving teachers had the opportunity to complete. The aim of the survey was to identify issues that may impact on their health and well-being and, where appropriate, to develop strategies to encourage healthier working practices.
The Teachers Health and Wellbeing Newsletter was produced by the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Group and provides information on support services available to all teachers and on the 'Health Promoting Schools' initiative.
Survey on tackling violence/abuse against teachers in schools
Employers issued a survey on violence/abuse against teachers in schools to a random selection of teachers in May 2010. The survey and resultant Policy Statement on tackling violence and abusive behaviour can be found on the following page: