Teachers' pay common issues
Teachers' pay encompassing sickness, salary scales, tax information, maternity entitlement, paternity entitlement, contracts available, how to report a change in circumstances and how to get a Teacher's Reference Number.
Salary
Teachers are paid on the ordinary pay scale (OPS), which ranges from M2 – M6.
Once a teacher reaches the maximum of the scale (M6) and remains there for one year, they are eligible to apply for Threshold. (Performance Related Pay). A teacher must pass the threshold process, assessed by their Principal to progress to the upper pay scale (UPS), which ranges from UPS1 – UPS3.
Teachers are eligible to progress to the next point on the UPS scale once every two years.
Principals and vice principals are paid the leadership scale, which ranges from L1 – L43.
Tax information
P60’s are viewd online self-service at the end of May with details of all earnings and deductions for the previous tax year.
Details of payment
Temporary teachers are paid on the twelfth working day of the month and are paid for all temporary days/hours worked in the previous month.
Permanent and pro-rata teachers are paid on the last working day of the month and they are paid for the current month worked.
Employers of teachers in NI
Teachers' Pay Team is a paying authority who have responsibility for processing payroll for the main employers of teachers in Northern Ireland They are:
- The Education Authority
- CCMS
- Board of Governors of Grant Maintained Integrated Schools
Sickness absence
All sick absences must be certified.
- 1 – 7 days sick leave: Self certificate (CCU67/SC1) is required.
- 8 days onwards: Medical certificate (from doctor) is required.
Sick leave/pay
A teacher’s entitlement to sick leave/pay depends on the number of years service they have completed and the number of days they have been absent owing to illness in the current year, which ends on the 31 March.
| Length of service | Work days at full pay rate | Work days at half pay rate |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 4 months | 25 | 0 |
| 4 months to 1 year | 25 | 50 |
| 2nd year | 50 | 50 |
| 3rd year | 75 | 75 |
| 4th year | 100 | 100 |
Maternity leave/pay entitlement
All teachers, regardless of their service, are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave. Those teachers who meet all the requirements of the scheme are entitled to 39 weeks maternity salary which is payable at a rate of:
| Length of service | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | full pay |
| 2 weeks | 90% pay |
| 12 weeks | 50% pay |
| 21 weeks | SMP only |
For further guidance on statutory maternity pay, visit the following page on GOV.UK:
Adoption leave/pay entitlement
Those teachers who meet all the requirements of the scheme are entitled to 52 weeks adoption leave and 39 weeks salary, which is payable at a rate of:
| Length of service | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | full pay |
| 2 weeks | 90% pay |
| 6 weeks | 50% pay |
| 27 weeks | SAP only |
For further guidance on statutory adoption pay, visit the following page on GOV.UK:
Paternity leave/pay entitlement
Those teachers who meet all the requirements of the scheme are entitled to
- up to 2 weeks paternity leave which is payable at the statutory paternity rate applicable at the time of your paternity leave; OR
- 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is less.
This weekly rate is amended each April, for further guidance on statutory paternity pay, visit the following page on GOV.UK:
(Please note some schools will award discretionary paternity leave for up to 3 days full pay, however the statutory rate will be reduced by 3/7ths in that week).
Teachers reference number
To obtain a teachers reference number you should contact the GTCNI at (+0044) 90333390 or via their website gtcni.org.uk.
Entitlement to holiday pay for temporary teachers
Holiday pay is included in your daily rate of pay calculated as annual salary over 195 working days.
Contracts available
| Full time permanent | Hold a full-time post and work 32.4 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Full time permanent (joint appointment) | Works 32.4 hours per week but serve in two schools |
| Pro rata (part time) / job share | These teachers are part time teachers who are employed for 12 months or more. Must have a set working pattern, where they work “X” number of hours per week, on the same days every week Pro rata teachers may work in one or more schools Pro rata teachers may work casual hours or days over and above the set hours agreed |
| Full time temporary 1/365 basis | Temporary teachers who are appointed for a period of not less than one year, and who work 32.4 hours per week The only difference between these teachers and full time permanent teachers is that they have an end date in their contract |
| Temporary 1/195 (substitute teacher) | This is a teacher who works casual days, weeks, and months Paid at a daily rate for the days worked |
| Part time teacher | A substitute teacher who is paid for the casual hours that they work |
Change of circumstances
For security purposes details cannot be accepted over the telephone. All changes with regard to name, address or bank details must be notified in writing
For further information or assistance regarding payroll matters please contact us.