Apply for FE senior pay approval
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-10)

Explains the process for colleges to get approval from government for remuneration over £174,000, and bonuses of more than £25,000.

In November 2022, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced it would reclassify further education (FE) colleges (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-reclassification) into the public sector. This means colleges are now subject to senior pay controls.

The Department for Education and HM Treasury (HMT) must approve remuneration for:
- senior roles with total remuneration exceeding £174,000
- performance-related pay exceeding £25,000
Conditions for this are set out in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.13 of the guidance for approval of senior pay (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/senior-civil-service-pay-and-reward).

Additional guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bite-size-guides-to-aid-colleges-in-meeting-new-requirements-following-reclassification/senior-pay-controls-for-colleges) is available to help you with FE senior pay applications, including key dates for the DfE approval process.

Completing the application form

You need to complete the application form in Annex A of the guidance for approval of senior pay (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/senior-civil-service-pay-and-reward).

Leave the section marked ‘please confirm approval of Departmental Minister’ blank.

Mark sections that do not apply to your application as not applicable or N/A - for example, the reference to relocation of the role outside of London, or preferred candidates.

Any other sections that are not completed or marked N/A may result in delays or resubmission.

Include any relevant documents. For example if you have referred to the Association of Colleges benchmarking report and job descriptions in your application, you need to include these with your application form.

The head of your remuneration committee or the equivalent committee within your governing body must sign your application form.

Submit your application

Send your completed form to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

We recommend submitting your application at the earliest opportunity.

You can advertise a role before you have received approval if you do not specify in the advertisement remuneration or pay awards that meet or exceed the HMT threshold. For more information, see paragraph 4.7 in the guidance for approval of senior pay (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/senior-civil-service-pay-and-reward).

Approval process

When you submit your form, you’ll get an automated acknowledgement of your application.

We’ll carry out a basic check of the form. If we identify any issues with it, such as any sections having not been completed, we may ask you to resubmit.

After this check, we’ll contact you to acknowledge receipt.

After the initial check, we’ll allocate the form to the relevant regional team for assessment. The regional team will contact you if they need to discuss it.

Once your application has been through the government clearance process, we’ll notify you of the outcome. If your application has been unsuccessful, we’ll provide feedback.

Timescale for your application

You should allow at least 2 months for clearance decisions.

We’ll only grant requests for faster approval in exceptional circumstances.