School teachers' FAQs: TLR payments

• Can a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payment awarded to a full-time teacher be paid at a part-rate if a teacher is only called upon to undertake the duties related to the payment for part of the week?
• Is there a percentage threshold which must be satisfied before a part-time teacher can be awarded a TLR payment?
• Can a temporary TLR payment be awarded to a teacher for carrying out a project or function which is supported through time-limited external funding?
• Can a temporary TLR payment be awarded to a teacher to recognise their development by way of undertaking specified project work of a time-limited nature? 
• Can a TLR payment be awarded to an unqualified teacher?
• Can a teacher be awarded two TLR payments?
• Can a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payment be awarded to a part-time teacher be paid at the full allowance rate?
• Can a TLR payment be split between two or more teachers?
• Can two TLR payments be paid to the same teacher to recognise two areas of responsibility?
• Can an NQT be given a TLR?

Can a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payment awarded to a full-time teacher be paid at a part-rate if a teacher is only called upon to undertake the duties related to the payment for part of the week?

No. TLR payments are an integral part of the teacher’s salary and have to be paid at the same proportion that applies to the teacher’s pay spine point.

Is there a percentage threshold which must be satisfied before a part-time teacher can be awarded a TLR payment?

No. A part-time teacher undertaking any percentage of full-time work can be paid the equivalent percentage of the appropriate TLR payment if they are undertaking duties which satisfy the criteria for the award of the TLR.

Can a temporary TLR payment be awarded to a teacher for carrying out a project or function which is supported through time-limited external funding?

No. A temporary TLR can only be awarded to a teacher where he or she is covering for an absent colleague who is in a post to which a permanent TLR payment has been assigned. Such absences would include, for example, absences for maternity or sickness or where there is a vacancy pending a permanent appointment or where a permanent TLR holder has been seconded to undertake another role inside or outside the school.

Can a temporary TLR payment be awarded to a teacher to recognise their development by way of undertaking specified project work of a time-limited nature? 

No. A temporary TLR can only be awarded to a teacher where he or she is covering for an absent colleague who is in a post to which a permanent TLR payment has been assigned. Such absences would include, for example, absences for maternity or sickness or where there is a vacancy pending a permanent appointment or where a permanent TLR holder has been seconded to undertake another role inside or outside the school.

Can a TLR payment be awarded to an unqualified teacher?

No. TLR payments can only be awarded to qualified classroom teachers on the main scale or the upper pay pine. They cannot be awarded to unqualified teachers, ASTs, excellent teachers or members of the leadership group.

Can a teacher be awarded two TLR payments?

No. An assessment of the teacher’s total range of responsibilities has to be undertaken to determine the appropriate TLR payment to be applied to the post.

Can a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payment be awarded to a part-time teacher be paid at the full allowance rate?

No. TLR payments - and allowances for SEN and recruitment and retention - are an integral part of the teacher's salary and have to be paid at the same proportion that applies to the teacher's pay spine point.

Can a TLR payment be split between two or more teachers?

No. The TLR payment is part of an individual teacher's salary calculation. To give an example - an allowance of £2364 cannot be split to give two full-time teachers £1182 each.

However, where two teachers are job-sharing a full-time post to which a TLR payment is attached, it is possible for both to share the responsibility and share the TLR payment in the proportion to which the full time salary is shared.

Can two TLR payments be paid to the same teacher to recognise two areas of responsibility?

No. It is not possible under any circumstances to award more than one TLR payment to a teacher. If a school decides to allocate an additional area of responsibility to a teacher who is already in receipt of a TLR payment, then an evaluation of the new role will need to be undertaken to determine the value of the TLR to be applied to the new combined role.  The new TLR to be applied will have to be in line with the overall staffing structure for the school.

Can an NQT be given a TLR?

There is no rule which states that an NQT cannot be awarded a TLR payment. However, Head Teachers are contractually obliged to ensure that no undue demand is made on NQTs by ensuring they are given 10% off their timetable specifically for induction-related work (plus the 10% PPA time to which all teachers are entitled). The school would have to be sure that, as an inexperienced member of staff who is working toward successful completion of induction, the teacher is capable of fulfilling the significant responsibilities of a TLR as outlined in the STPCD.