Teacher appraisal: assessing performance and setting targets

Understand how performance links to pay progression and find guidance on setting objectives, identifying areas for development and collecting evidence for appraisals.

Last reviewed on 23 February 2026
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 8725
Contents
  1. How teachers’ performance links to their progression
  2. Assess performance against the standards and objectives 
  3. Present evidence collected throughout the year 
  4. Identify areas for development 
  5. Leadership CPD from The Key

How teachers’ performance links to their progression

For teachers employed under the STPCD

The relevant body (usually the governing board) must annually consider whether to increase the salary of teachers who have completed a year of employment since the previous annual pay determination.

You can choose whether to offer performance-related pay or not. If you do offer it, you can only withhold pay progression due to poor performance. If you don't offer it, you can only withhold pay progression if the teacher is in capability proceedings.

Headteachers are not expected to link appraisal to pay progression as part of their duties, but you'll need to develop clear arrangements for managing appraisals, and advise the relevant body on pay recommendations for teachers.

This is set out in section 19 and paragraph 46.9 of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD).

Think about how you