When the Higher and Advanced Higher exams were cancelled in December, Scottish teachers were promised a one-off payment of £400 in a bid to acknowledge the additional workload this would entail.

Now details of how that money is to be claimed have been published by the Scottish government.

The information shows that part-time teachers do not have to be paid pro rata and that headteachers can request “a higher level of payment up to the full amount of £400” for these staff if they believe the alternative certification model that replaced the exams had “a disproportionate effect” on their workload.

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Also, if teachers become involved next year in assessing pupils who have been given an extension so they can submit evidence, they, too, could be eligible for the payment.

Here’s what you need to know:

How do teachers claim the payment?

The guidance is directed at councils and headteachers, and says that, “in most cases”, teachers will receive the payment “through your normal payroll without any information from you”.

Who is eligible?

Teachers working in state, private and grant-aided schools who have been involved in assessing, marking or quality assuring National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher courses this year.

To be eligible, you need to have been: 

• Employed between 1 January 2021 and 25 June 2021 for the initial window. 
• Employed between the start of the new school year in August and 3 September 2021 (where applicable).

The guidance says there may be a further opportunity to make a claim “in August/September for teachers supporting learners who have experienced severe disruption, preventing them from completing their evidence by the end of term”.

This refers to the contingency arrangements put in place for pupils “disproportionately disrupted by the pandemic”. Schools were able to ask for an extension to allow these pupils to complete assessments when schools return following the summer holidays, with a final deadline of 3 September.

Can part-time staff receive the full £400?

Yes - headteachers can claim the full amount for part-time teachers and the EIS teaching union has said it “expects this to be applied liberally in schools”. The guidance says: “In the case of an individual teacher working 0.5 FTE [full time equivalent], a pro rata payment would be £200. However, in instances where an individual teacher has been required to spend a greater proportion of their time supporting delivery of the ACM when compared to the average full-time teacher, the Scottish government will accept a request for a higher level of payment up to the full amount of £400.”

What’s the deadline for making a claim?

The payment form went live this month and the deadline for submission is 30 September.

When will the payment be made?

For most staff it should be made in September.

Will the payment be taxed?

Yes - the guidance says the payments “are regarded as earnings and will be liable for tax, national insurance contributions, student loan repayments and tax credits, where appropriate”.

What if a teacher was off sick or shielding?

The guidance says those who were shielding; on sick leave; on maternity, paternity or adoption leave; or furloughed “are not precluded from qualifying for this payment if they have had a role in supporting the delivery of the ACM”.

What if a teacher is not happy with the amount they receive?

Once the teacher has spoken to their employer, the guidance says they should contact teacherpayment400@gov.scot to raise a concern. If they are not satisfied with the outcome of this, then stage two of the process is to make a complaint to sgcomplaints@gov.scot

The guidance says: “An investigating officer will be appointed to prepare a comprehensive report and, if we have got things wrong, will recommend improvements.”  

If the teacher is still dissatisfied after stage two, there’s then the option of asking the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman to investigate.

However, the EIS teaching union recommends that if a teacher is unhappy, they should get in touch with their school representative in the first instance.