Pay & Conditions
In this section, you will find information about the terms and conditions that apply to school based staff, including support staff and teachers. Here you will find essential guidance on the practial application of these terms and conditions.
NJC Terms and Conditions - Support Staff
The conditions of service for all school-based employees, excluding teachers, are determined by the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of Service of the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services. This agreement, detailed in the "Green Book" (last updated in April 2022), which builds upon the "Single Status" agreement from 1997, harmonizes the terms and conditions of employees previously categorized as either salaried (APT&C) staff or manual workers.
Southwark Council has negotiated several local agreements to supplement the national agreement, specifically for support staff in community schools and voluntary controlled schools where the local authority acts as the employer.
In other maintained schools or the non-maintained sector, the terms and conditions are determined by the Governing Body, as they may differ from the local authority contract.
This is updated annually in April.
Teaching Terms and Conditions - School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document
This statutory document applies to the following:
- All teachers and school leaders employed in maintained schools
- Teachers and school leaders in academies who were initially employed under the STPCD when their employment transitioned to an academy trust (unless renegotiated)
The provisions relate to:
- the remuneration of schoolteachers; and
- other conditions of employment of schoolteachers which relate to their professional duties or working time.
This is updated annually in September.
Teaching Terms and Conditions - Conditions of Service for School Teachers (2023)
This is otherwise known as the “Burgundy Book”. This document details all the national conditions of service for school teachers in England and Wales, covering additional terms including notice periods, retirement, sick pay, maternity and other leave and insurance provisions. The Burgundy Book has been updated in June 2023. This edition provides updates to legislation and clarifies terminology, without amending the application of any of the terms and conditions of employment contained in the Burgundy Book.
Soulbury
Note: this does not normally apply to school based staff
This is also known as the “Blue Book” (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE STPCD).
The terms and conditions outlined in the Blue Book apply to the following professionals:
- educational improvement professionals (previously advisers and inspectors)
- educational psychologists
- young people's/community service managers (previously youth and community service officers)
For more information on the Soulbury Terms and Conditions, follow the link below:
Soulbury Terms and Conditions (pdf, 189kb)
London Living Wage / National Minimum Wage Rates
The London Borough of Southwark is a London Living Wage employer. The Living Wage rate for 2023-2024 is currently £13.15 per hour in London. We would encourage schools to follow the London Living Wage figures, although we appreciate that in many cases Support Staff are already paid above this figure.
The Living Wage is the only UK wage rate that is independently set yearly by the Living Wage Foundation. It is higher than the national minimum wage because it is calculated by it taking account the real cost of living. This wage rate is voluntarily paid by businesses who want to ensure that their staff receive a wage which meets every day needs, whether that’s food and fuel or a surprise trip to the dentist.
For more information, follow this link to the Living Wage Foundation.
Below is a table outlining the different wage rates:
| Minimum Wage | National Living Wage | London Living Wage | |
| Amount |
£8.60
|
£11.44
|
£12 across the UK and £13.15 in London
|
| Who for? | Government minimum for under 21s | Government minimum for 21 year olds and over | The only wage rate based on what people need to live for 18 year olds and over |
| Statutory or voluntary? | Statutory | Statutory | Voluntary |
Policy and Guidance
Note: Our 'head teacher's annual report to governors' was developed with school leaders and can be used to report to your governing body on an annual basis on the implementation and outcomes of performance appraisal and pay decisions in your school (reporting is a legal requirement for all maintained schools). It also provides evidence of trends over time for your next Ofsted inspection (and has been well received by inspectors).
Our recommended whole school pay policy covers both support and teaching staff and includes guidance to help you determine pay ranges, allowances and other salary enhancements.
For more information and to access our model Contracts of Employment templates, please click below: