Teachers' pay policy: model and examples
Download and adapt our model pay policy to suit your school's context, or use our checklist to make sure your policy complies with the STPCD. See examples of teachers' pay policies from a range of schools.
- Download our model pay policy
- Download our checklist
- Model policy from the DfE
- Maintained schools: examples
- Academy example
- Special school example
The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) has been published for 2023.
It includes confirmation of the 2023 pay award, which applies from 1 September 2023 and should be backdated to that date.
These changes do not affect our model pay policy.
However, if you're in a maintained school, or an academy that follows the STPCD, and you have previously adapted our policy or written your own to include specific references to pay and allowance ranges, you'll need to make sure these reflect the latest version of the STPCD. You can find details of these in our article on the 2023 pay award.
Download our model pay policy
Adapt our model pay policy in line with your school’s context and needs. It’s been approved by Forbes Solicitors and developed with NAHT. All of our model documents take account of relevant requirements and good practice. They are easy to adapt, save you time and help you keep your school compliant.
All maintained schools in England must have a teachers' pay policy (see part 1, paragraph 2.1 of the STPCD).
The provisions of the STPCD also apply to staff in academies who had their employment transferred at the point of conversion. Academies can set their own conditions for new staff, but may choose to refer to the STPCD and may still find the model policy useful.
Please note: this model policy is aimed primarily at maintained schools and academies, but can be easily adapted to suit any school. If you wish to use the policy in a different type of setting – for example, a pupil referral unit (PRU) or non-maintained special school – we recommend you check this policy against any requirements or considerations specific to your context and adapt it accordingly.
For more model policies and complete policy support from The Key, see our Policy Expert tool.
Download our checklist
Use our checklist to help you write and review your own pay policy – it sets out what you need to include.
KeyDoc: teachers' pay policy checklist
Model policy from the DfE
See Annex B of this DfE guidance document (from page 52) for a model pay policy and accompanying guidance for schools that follow the STPCD. The policy covers:
- Pay reviews
- Basic pay determination on appointment
- Pay progression based on performance
- Movement to the upper pay range (UPR)
- Part-time teachers and supply teachers
- Monitoring the impact of the policy
The DfE's model policy does not cover:
- The leadership pay range
- The unqualified teacher pay range
- Safeguarding arrangements
- Allowances and additional payments
- Arrangements for handling grievances
Maintained schools: examples
Ambergate Primary School is in Derbyshire. Its pay policy follows the STPCD and includes:
- The school's context
- The pay appeals process
- Discretionary allowances and payments
Penpol School is in Cornwall. Its pay policy follows the STPCD and includes:
- The school's appeals procedure
- The process for moving to the upper pay range
- Other teacher conditions (e.g. residential duties)
Academy example
Astrea Academy Trust in South Yorkshire, has a school pay policy. It complies with the STPCD and covers:
- Pay progression based on performance
- Additional allowances and payments
- Pay for part-time teachers and teachers employed at short notice
Special school example
Maplewell Hall School, a community special school in Leicestershire, has a teachers' pay policy (under the 'other staff policies' drop-down menu). It complies with the STPCD and includes:
- Pay progression and pay ranges
- Allowance for first aiders, travel and mileage, and acting roles
- Special educational needs (SEN) allowance
