6 Top Tips to Move from MPS to UPS Posted on 9 December 2024 by Becky - Kent-Teach in Career The New Year is a great time to make changes in your life including your career goals. If you are a qualified, experienced and talented teacher, you may be thinking about career progression and how to move from the Main Pay Scale to the Upper Pay Scale. This could be something you work towards over a long period of time and there is no time like the present, so why not make this your New Year's resolution.In order to do so, you need to apply for the Upper Pay Range where you are required to write a statement to show to your Headteacher that you are highly competent in all elements of the standards. It should also show that your contribution to the school or setting is substantial and sustained. To support you with your statement, ensure you are familiar with your school’s pay policy as this should hold more information about how the school will assess you and the criteria you will be marked against. Your school’s pay policy should also state how long your review period is. They are normally around 2 years but if you are not sure you will need to check with your Headteacher. Teachers can only submit 1 application for progression to the upper pay range per school year (unless there are exceptional circumstances) therefore, you need to make your application count. Here are some tips to help you write this statement:1) Make your manager or Headteacher aware of your intentions in advance as they may offer you some advice.2) Ensure you keep a record of recent discussions including your 1:1s and appraisals in the years leading up to your application. This is because you need to include in your application results of two most recent reviews or appraisals and recommendations about your pay.3) Ensure you have your Personal Development Plan in place (PDP) to support you when writing your application. You can use your plan to remind you of your targets met and the progress you have made so far in your career.4) Speak to colleagues that are on the Upper Pay Range for advice and support about how they made their application.5) Include as much evidence as you need to support your application. 6) Most importantly ensure you understand your school’s pay policy and have a copy that you can refer to so you ensure you are meeting the criteria. When applying for Upper Pay Scale (UPS) status, it's important to provide comprehensive and relevant evidence to support your application. Here are some key types of evidence you should consider including1) Performance Reviews and Appraisals: Include your two most recent performance reviews or appraisals. Highlight any positive feedback, targets met, and areas where you have shown significant improvement.2) Classroom Observations: Provide records of classroom observations that demonstrate your teaching effectiveness. Include feedback from observers that highlights your strengths and areas of excellence.3) Student Progress and Achievement: Show evidence of your students' progress and achievements. This could include test scores, progress reports, and examples of student work that reflect your impact on their learning. 4) Professional Development: Document any professional development activities you have undertaken. This could include courses, workshops, or training sessions that have contributed to your growth as an educator. 5) Contributions to the School Community: Highlight any additional responsibilities or contributions you have made to the school community. This could include leading extracurricular activities, mentoring colleagues, or participating in school committees.6) Standards-Aligned Evidence: Align your evidence with the relevant teaching standards. Provide concrete examples that demonstrate how you meet each standard, such as lesson plans, assessment strategies, and student feedback.By including these types of evidence, you can create a strong and compelling application for UPS status. If you need further assistance or have more questions, feel free to ask!You can find out more information in the School Teacher’s Pay and Conditions document which provides guidance. Interested in applying for a Headteacher post? Have you read our 10 Top Tips When Applying for a Headship?