Sep 2025 Pay Scales · England & Wales
Teacher take-home pay calculator
Know exactly what lands in your account — after TPS pension, tax and NI. Select your pay range and scale point below.
England & Wales only — Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate pay arrangements.
Pay scales: 1 Sep 2025 · Tax year 2026/27
Your details
Confirmed September 2025 STPCD scales.
London pay scales include Inner/Outer London and London Fringe — different scale points to Rest of England.
TPS uses a Net Pay Arrangement — contributions deducted before tax, giving full relief at your marginal rate. Rates effective 1 April 2026.
Student loan
Many teachers claim union subscription tax relief through HMRC, giving a code like 1263L. Enter your code from your payslip.
Standard full time is 32.5 contact hours/week. Enter your contracted hours for part-time FTE calculation.
Other deductions (post-tax)
Monthly take-home
£2,122
Annual take-home
£25,465
Weekly take-home
£490
Annual breakdown
Effective rate (tax + NI): 15.2% of gross pay · Employer also contributes 28.68% TPS (£9,440/yr on your behalf)
Tax code 1257L · Pay scales effective 1 September 2025.
Advertisement
Useful reading
How it's calculated
- ✓STPCD (Sep 2025) & NJC (Apr 2025) pay scales
- ✓Standard personal allowance (£12,570)
- ✓2026/27 income tax rates
- ✓NI at 8% / 2% (employee Class 1)
- ✓TPS (teachers) & LGPS (TAs) — both NPA
- ✓Student loan Plan 1, 2, 4, 5 or PG
Advertisement
Frequently asked questions
Which pay award does this use?
Pay scales are based on the STPCD effective 1 September 2025, following the STRB recommendation of a 4% uplift accepted by the government. No award has been announced for September 2026 yet — we will update as soon as one is confirmed.
Why is my actual take-home different from the calculator?
The calculator uses the standard 1257L tax code. If your code differs — for example because you claim union subscription tax relief through HMRC — your income tax will vary. TLR payments, SEN allowances, and other school-specific additions are also not included unless you add them in the Allowances section.
How are TPS contributions calculated?
Contributions under the Teachers' Pension Scheme are charged at a single rate based on which tier your pensionable pay falls in — ranging from 7.4% up to £34,189 through to 12.0% above £119,585. Rates are effective 1 April 2026 and are deducted before income tax is calculated (Net Pay Arrangement), giving you full tax relief at your marginal rate.
Does the location affect the pension calculation?
Yes. London pay scales are higher, which means your pensionable pay is higher, which may push you into a higher TPS contribution tier. The pension is calculated on your actual gross pay including any location premium built into your scale point.
Can I calculate part-time teacher pay?
Yes — enter your contracted weekly hours in the Deductions & adjustments section. The standard full-time week is 32.5 contact hours. The calculator pro-rates your salary, pension contributions, tax and NI based on your FTE. Your TPS tier is based on your actual pro-rated pay.
Why do some teachers use a different tax code like 1263L?
Teachers who claim union subscription tax relief through HMRC often have an adjusted tax code — for example 1263L if £130 of annual union fees are being relieved. This gives a slightly higher personal allowance and reduces your income tax. Enter your actual tax code from your payslip for an accurate result.
Is this calculator for Scotland and Northern Ireland too?
Pay scales shown are for England and Wales (STPCD). Scotland has separate pay scales under the SNCT. Northern Ireland has separate arrangements too. Scottish teachers are also subject to Scottish income tax rates above the starter rate, which differ from England and Wales.
Why is my monthly pay lower than my TA salary suggests?
Most teaching assistants are employed on a term-time only contract — typically 39 weeks per year. Your contract salary (shown on your payslip as the FTE annual figure) is the full-time, full-year equivalent. Because you only work during term time, your actual annual earnings are 39/52 of that figure — about 75%. Schools then spread this across 12 equal monthly payments so you receive a salary every month, including during school holidays. The Teaching Assistant calculator above shows all three figures clearly: FTE salary, actual annual pay, and monthly take-home.
What pension scheme am I in as a teaching assistant?
Unlike qualified teachers who are in the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), teaching assistants and other support staff in maintained schools are enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). It is a defined benefit pension like TPS, but with different contribution rates and administered locally by your council. Academy schools may use a different provider — check your contract.
How is my LGPS contribution calculated?
LGPS contributions are based on your actual annual pay (pro-rated for part-time and term-time). A single percentage rate applies to all your earnings based on which pay band you fall in — ranging from 5.5% on pay up to £18,400 to 12.5% on pay above £210,700. Like TPS, LGPS uses a Net Pay Arrangement, meaning contributions are deducted before income tax, giving you full tax relief at your marginal rate. The 2026/27 rates are used in this calculator.
Can I calculate part-time TA pay?
Yes — enter your contracted weekly hours in the calculator. Full time for support staff is 37 hours per week. Your FTE (full-time equivalent) is your contracted hours divided by 37. The calculator then pro-rates your salary, pension, tax and NI based on that FTE. Combined with the term-time adjustment if applicable, you will see your actual annual and monthly pay clearly.
Am I paid during school holidays as a term-time TA?
Not in the sense of working — but your actual annual pay is spread over 12 months, so you do receive a salary payment each month including during the summer and other holidays. The total you receive over the year is based on 39 weeks' worth of earnings, evenly distributed. Some schools pay a retainer during holidays rather than using 12-month spreading — check your contract if you are unsure.
Advertisement
Be first to know
We'll email you the moment the 2026 teacher pay award is confirmed — with your updated take-home calculated instantly.