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Create CVIf you want the direct answer first, a qualified secondary school teacher in the UK usually sits somewhere between the low £30,000s and the low to mid £50,000s before extra payments, with the exact figure driven by nation, school type, location, pay scale point, and whether you hold added responsibilities. In England from 1 September 2025, maintained school classroom teachers range from £32,916 to £51,048 outside London, up to £62,496 on the Upper Pay Range in Inner London. In Wales, classroom teachers are on £33,731 to £46,595, with the Upper Pay Scale running to £51,942. In Scotland, the main grade scale runs from £36,159 for probationers to £54,453 from 1 August 2026. In Northern Ireland, classroom teachers are on £32,916 to £43,830, with UPS running to £50,876.
When someone searches “secondary school teacher UK salary”, they rarely want a single number. They usually want five things at once:
What is the starting salary?
What can I earn after a few years?
Is London really that much higher?
How do TLRs, SEN, leadership, and subject demand change earnings?
For maintained schools in England from 1 September 2025, the Main Pay Range outside London runs from M1 £32,916 to M6 £45,352, and the Upper Pay Range runs from U1 £47,472 to U3 £51,048. In London Fringe, the range is £34,398 to £52,490. In Outer London, it is £37,870 to £56,154. In Inner London, it is £40,317 to £62,496. A typical teacher in England can earn at least £45,352 after five years, although progression is linked to performance management rather than being fully automatic.
The jump from M1 to M6 is meaningful, but the recruiter logic is even more important. A school does not merely ask, “How many years have you taught?” It asks, “Can we justify placing you this high on our scale relative to internal staff and your proven impact?”
If your CV shows:
Exam outcomes
Curriculum ownership
Intervention success
SEND capability
Behaviour turnaround work
In maintained schools in Wales for 2025 to 2026, the classroom teacher pay scale runs from M2 £33,731 to M6 £46,595. The Upper Pay Scale runs from £48,304 to £51,942.
Wales can look competitive in the mid range, but recruiters focus on progression opportunity, not just salary. If your goal is promotion, the number of available leadership roles matters as much as the pay scale itself.
Scotland operates a different structure. The Main Grade Scale moves from £36,159 for probationers to £54,453 from August 2026, with classroom teachers already starting above £43,000 after probation.
Scotland appears higher, but the entry route is different. Always compare your actual career stage, not just headline figures.
Which part of the UK pays best in practice?
That is the right way to analyse this topic because the base figure alone is too blunt to guide a career decision.
Mentoring or pastoral responsibility
Your salary point becomes justifiable. If your CV only lists duties, you look expensive without looking valuable.
Northern Ireland classroom teacher pay runs from £32,916 to £43,830, with Upper Pay Scale up to £50,876. Additional allowances can significantly increase total earnings.
Average figures like £33,000 to £51,000 are useful benchmarks but not hiring reality. Schools hire based on pay scale alignment and evidence of value.
Average salary is not what you negotiate with. Schools care about:
Your current pay point
Internal pay equity
Your measurable impact
Role responsibility
Salary growth comes from responsibility and scarcity.
Key accelerators:
TLR roles
SEN allowance
Leadership progression
Leading Practitioner roles
Subject shortage demand
Classroom progression
Upper Pay Range
TLR responsibility
Specialist allowance
Leadership pathway
Schools pay for accountability, not activity.
London salaries are higher, but cost of living reduces net benefit.
Comparing gross salary only. Always consider:
Rent
Commute
Promotion opportunity
Workload
Maintained schools follow national pay scales. Academies and private schools can vary.
Never assume all schools pay the same. Always check:
Pay policy
Progression structure
TLR availability
Pay is reviewed annually but tied to performance.
At higher salary points, schools expect:
Proven pupil progress
Curriculum ownership
Intervention success
Staff mentoring
Whole school contribution
A salary decision is a risk decision.
“Experienced secondary teacher passionate about student success.”
“KS4 English teacher increasing GCSE pass rates by 14 percentage points, leading intervention programmes, and mentoring ECTs.”
The second example justifies salary. The first does not.
Starts around £32,916 or higher depending on location.
Typically £37,000 to £45,000 range in England.
£47,000 to £51,000+ depending on region.
Starts above £51,000 and rises significantly.
Take home pay depends on:
Tax
Pension contributions
Student loans
Teaching includes strong pension benefits, which significantly increases total compensation value.
Comparing only base salary
Ignoring allowances
Weak CV evidence
Overestimating London benefit
Not understanding progression
Candidate Name: Amelia Khan
Target Job Title: Secondary School Teacher, English and Literacy Lead
Location: London, UK
Professional Summary
High performing secondary school teacher with 8 years of experience delivering strong GCSE outcomes, leading intervention programmes, and contributing to whole school literacy improvement. Positioned for Upper Pay Range and TLR roles through proven impact and leadership potential.
Core Skills
GCSE English delivery
Curriculum planning
Behaviour management
Data analysis
Intervention strategy
Mentoring ECTs
Professional Experience
Secondary School Teacher and Literacy Coordinator
London Secondary School
2021 to Present
Increased GCSE pass rates by 14 percentage points
Led Year 11 intervention improving results significantly
Implemented whole school literacy framework
Mentored ECT teachers successfully
Teacher of English
Birmingham Secondary School
2018 to 2021
Improved student progress outcomes consistently
Strengthened parental engagement strategies
Education
PGCE Secondary English
BA English Literature
Certifications
Qualified Teacher Status
Safeguarding Training
Key Achievements
Significant GCSE improvement results
Whole school impact initiatives
Focus on responsibility, not just experience.
Deliver measurable results
Take ownership roles
Build leadership evidence
Target promotable roles
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