Education
Education Payroll
Specialist support for schools, academies and trusts.
Managing the complexity of education payroll
Managing payroll within the education sector requires more than simply processing payroll accurately and on time
Schools, academies and Multi-Academy Trusts face a unique combination of payroll, pension and compliance challenges. From Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) administration to term-time working arrangements, multiple contracts and changing legislative requirements, education payroll demands specialist knowledge and experience.
At Armstrong Watson, we've built a team of education payroll specialists who understand these challenges. Whether you're looking to strengthen an existing payroll function, reduce pressure on internal resources or explore a fully managed solution, we help education organisations gain access to the expertise, support and resilience needed to manage payroll with confidence.
Through our partnership with TES, schools and trusts can also benefit from sector-specific payroll technology designed specifically for the education sector, supported by our specialist payroll and pensions expertise.
Why education organisations choose Armstrong Watson
Payroll is one of the most critical functions within any education organisation, yet many schools and trusts rely heavily on a small number of individuals holding key payroll knowledge.
When legislation changes, complex pension queries arise or experienced team members become unavailable, maintaining payroll continuity can become increasingly difficult.
Our role is simple. We help schools, academies and trusts reduce that risk by providing access to specialists who understand the technical and operational challeng unique to education payroll.
Contact us
Get in touch with our Sector specialists
Contact the teamFlexible support that works around your team
Every education organisation is different.
Some schools want to retain responsibility for payroll processing whilst gaining access to specialist support when required. Others prefer to outsource payroll delivery to an experienced team, allowing internal resources to focus elsewhere.
That's why our education payroll services are designed to provide the right level of support for your organisation.
Advanced
Ideal for organisations that wish to continue processing payroll internally but want access to specialist payroll and pensions expertise when challenges arise.
From complex calculations and pension queries to compliance requirements and legislative updates, our team works alongside your payroll function to provide additional confidence and support.
You manage your payroll. We strengthen it.
Fully Managed
For schools, academies and trusts looking to reduce the administrative burden of payroll, our Fully Managed service places payroll delivery in the hands of experienced education payroll professionals.
You'll benefit from the reassurance that comes from working with a specialist team whilst maintaining visibility and oversight of your payroll operation.
Your payroll. Our responsibility.
Combining technology and Payroll expertise
Successful payroll delivery requires the right balance of expertise and technology.
Through our partnership with TES, education organisations can access a payroll solution built specifically for schools, academies and trusts, alongside the specialist payroll and pensions knowledge provided by Armstrong Watson.
More than a Payroll provider
Payroll challenges rarely exist in isolation.
Issues relating to payroll often connect to pensions, employment taxes, governance, finance and wider organisational planning. As part of our broader education advisory team, we can draw on expertise from across Armstrong Watson to help organisations address these wider challenges when required.
That's why many of our clients see us as more than a payroll provider. They see us as a trusted adviser with a deep understanding of the education sector.
Frequently asked questions
Understanding our education payroll partnership.
EduPay is payroll software designed specifically for schools and multi-academy trusts, providing payroll management, employee self-service and education-focused payroll functionality.
Yes. Schools can continue running payroll internally while accessing additional support, software assistance, training and specialist payroll expertise where required.
Yes. For organisations that want to outsource payroll, Armstrong Watson can manage payroll processing, compliance administration and payroll reporting through a fully managed service.
Yes. We can support organisations with payroll processes relating to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, the Local Government Pension Scheme, as well as automatic enrolment duties into other pension schemes.
Yes. The services are designed for individual schools, academies and larger multi-academy trusts seeking scalable payroll support.
Get in touch
Get in touch to speak to one of our specialist advisers and explore how we can help you.
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