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“I wanted a career than not only offered professional development and growth but rewarded me with a daily sense of accomplishment and job satisfaction.” Aaron Chandler – Science Teacher and Progress/Pastoral Leader Requirements To train to teach at secondary level, you’ll need a degree in any subject, and a standard equivalent GCSE grade C or 4 in Maths and English.
If you’re interested in a career that offers many opportunities for career progression, alongside personal satisfaction, and the chance to share your subject passion, teaching may be for you.
Get Into Teaching provides a comprehensive programme of support and guidance throughout the Initial Teacher Training application process.
Register with Get Into Teaching for information and advice about a career in teaching.
Why become a teacher?
Teaching is a career that shapes you, as much as it does others. Where no two days are the same, and where you can turn your passion into your profession.
You can bring creativity to the classroom every day, and in turn have a lasting impact; inspiring the next generation.
In teaching, as you grow, so does your career. Opportunities for progression are varied, whether that be through a position as head of year or head of subject, or through taking on a pastoral role. With added responsibilities you can expect additional pay rewards.
Nothing says passion for your subject like a career in the classroom. If you’re interested in training to teach, Get Into Teaching will tell you everything you need to know.
Primary and secondary teacher salary
If you have qualified teacher status (QTS), you’ll get a minimum starting salary of £32,916 (or more in London) as a primary or secondary school teacher in England.
Your salary will be reviewed every year, with most teachers moving up the pay range annually. This will depend on your school’s performance management arrangements.
A typical teacher could earn at least £45,352 (or more in London) after 5 years.
Qualified teacher salary
England (excluding London)
Minimum – £32,916
Maximum – £51,048
London fringe
Minimum – £34,398
Maximum – £52,490
Outer London
Minimum – £37,870
Maximum – £56,154
Inner London
Minimum – £40,317
Maximum – £62,496
Additional Payments
You may also receive additional payments on top of your regular salary for taking on extra responsibilities.
You could get a one-off payment for a specific project, for example, creating a timetable, or for taking on extra responsibility attached to your job role, for example, being the head of department.
These additional payments are called teaching and learning responsibility (TLR) payments.
Depending on your responsibilities, you could earn up to an extra £17,216. Your school will determine how much you receive.
Teachers who take on a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) role may also receive additional payments. These are known as SEN allowances.
If you do not have qualified teacher status (QTS)
You need qualified teacher status (QTS) to work in maintained primary, secondary and special schools in England.
If you do not have QTS (for example, if you just have a PGCE), you can work in some schools as an unqualified teacher.
This means you will be on a lower pay range and will not be entitled to the same benefits as a teacher with QTS.
If you’re already working as an unqualified teacher and have the right experience, you could be eligible for the assessment only route to qualified teacher status (QTS).
Or find out how you can earn an unqualified teacher salary while training to get QTS on a salaried teacher training course.
Unqualified teacher salary
England (excluding London)
Minimum – £22,601
Maximum – £35,259
London fringe
Minimum – £24,066
Maximum – £36,718
Outer London
Minimum – £26,789
Maximum – £39,450
Inner London
Minimum – £28,343
Maximum – £40,994
