2026-2027 Pay Increase Confirmed
The last step of the 2025-2027 pay settlement will see a pay increase of 3.25% on all SNCT grades from 1 August 2026. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the year 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026 was 3.4% and had not gone beyond the 3.75% threshold. Therefore, the agreed re-opener clause has not been triggered. See the confirmed SNCT pay scales
Guide to Changes to Job Sizing
Members’ attention is drawn to an important update contained in JS-25-84 SNCT Agreement on Changes to the Job Sizing toolkit on recent developments relating to job sizing arrangements, training, and guidance/pastoral support roles. This circular is intended to clarify what has been agreed nationally and to address any questions members may have. Please note that there have been some agreed amendments to deadlines, notably the implementation date of August 2027 which has been put back 12 months to 2028 (see Section 3 below).
1. Use of Revised Questionnaire and Guidance
Changes to the job sizing questionnaire and associated guidance SNCT Handbook Appendix 2.2, Annex A are not intended to trigger a re-sizing of posts. Members should be reassured that existing posts will not be automatically reviewed as a result of these updates alone.
However, Job Sizing Co-ordinators are expected to apply the revised arrangements to any posts requiring review going forward.
2. Training for Job Sizing Co-ordinators
Local Negotiating Committees for Teachers (LNCTs) will be responsible for maintaining a record of:
- who their Job Sizing Co-ordinators are; and
- when they last undertook training.
It has been agreed that refresher training should take place every three years. As this will take time to implement fully, LNCTs have been asked to prioritise:
- newly appointed Job Sizing Co-ordinators; and
- those who have not undertaken training for the longest period.
Training dates will be arranged nationally and shared well in advance to support planning and attendance.
3. Guidance / Pastoral Support Roles
Recognising that local authorities will require additional time to implement changes relating to Principal Teacher (PT) Guidance caseloads, an extended implementation period has been agreed.
LNCTs will monitor progress in reviewing guidance departments. Where a post (or group of posts) has not been reviewed by 1 June 2028, LNCTs will ensure that a job sizing review is undertaken before the end of that school session, with implementation from 1 August 2028.
In addition, work is ongoing to insert specific wording on guidance/pastoral support roles into the SNCT Handbook (Section 2, Part 2 – Main Duties). A further national circular will be issued once this has been finalised.
4. Budget Responsibility Bandings
Members should be aware that the current budget responsibility bandings within the job sizing toolkit date from the early 2000s and no longer reflect the significant real-terms growth in school budgets.
New bandings have been agreed at the SNCT (insert attachment) and the guidance and toolkit will be updated accordingly.
5. National Job Sizing Co-ordinators and Support Arrangements
To strengthen consistency and support across authorities, a National Job Sizing Co-ordinator User Group is being established.
Where Job Sizing Co-ordinators require advice or clarification, queries should be submitted jointly to the National Job Sizing Co-ordinators, setting out:
- the issue;
- relevant background; and
- specific questions requiring a response.
In such circumstances, please contact SSTA Head Office info@ssta.org.uk for advice.
6. FAQs
Will my post be re-sized because of the new questionnaire? No. The revised materials will only be used where a post is already due for review.
Who decides when a post is reviewed? Reviews continue to be determined locally through established processes, not automatically by these changes.
Will guidance roles definitely be reviewed? Yes, all guidance roles should be reviewed, with a national backstop date of June 2028 where this has not already happened.
Will training be mandatory? Training is expected for all Job Sizing Co-ordinators on a three-year cycle, with prioritisation based on need.
Are further changes expected? Potentially, particularly regarding budget bandings and handbook wording. Any agreed changes will be communicated in due course.
If you have any questions or concerns about how these changes may affect you, please do not hesitate to get in touch: info@ssta.org.uk
SSTA STANDING UP FOR ALL TEACHERS IN SECONDARY EDUCATION
