Career guides / Careers in teaching

100 employers, including local authorities and school trusts, are currently advertising teaching vacancies in the UK.

Types of teaching roles in the UK

Common job titles advertised for teaching vacancies on Jobs Go Public include:

• Teaching Assistant
• Class Teacher
• Subject Teacher
• Lecturer / Further Education Tutor
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
• SEN / SEND Teacher
• Swimming Teacher
• Coach
• Head of Department / Subject Lead
• Headteacher
• Cover Supervisor / Supply Teacher

Salary overview for teaching jobs in the UK

Salaries vary depending on the role, experience level, employer, and location.

Typical average salary ranges in 2026:

• Entry level: £22,538 - £24,999 per year
• Mid-level: £32,916 - £49,084 per year
• Senior roles: £69,956 - £78,678 per year

FAQs about teaching careers

How much do teachers get paid?

Teacher salaries in England follow national pay scales set by the School Teachers' Review Body. From September 2025, qualified teachers on the Main Pay Scale earn between £32,916 and £45,352 outside London, with higher rates in London areas.

Experienced teachers on the Upper Pay Scale earn £47,472–£51,048. Those taking on additional responsibilities receive Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments of £3,527–£17,216, whilst SEN allowances add £2,787–£5,497 for specialist roles.

Leadership salaries vary significantly by school size—headteachers earn between £58,569 and £143,796 depending on their school's group rating.

What is SEND in teaching?

SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. In teaching, it refers to supporting children and young people who need additional help with learning, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, or social and emotional difficulties.

You may also see the term SEN (Special Educational Needs) used—SEND simply adds the explicit reference to disabilities. SEND roles are in consistent demand across mainstream schools, special schools, and alternative provision settings.

Do teachers get paid in the summer?

Yes, teachers receive pay throughout the summer holidays. Although schools close for around six weeks, teachers on permanent contracts are paid their annual salary divided into twelve equal monthly payments. You receive the same amount each month regardless of term dates.

This differs from some term-time only roles (like certain teaching assistant positions) where staff may be paid only for weeks worked, sometimes with the option to have payments spread across the year.

Supply teachers and those on temporary contracts are typically paid only for days worked, so summer income depends on booking assignments.

How many weeks' holiday do teachers get?

Teachers have around 13 weeks when schools are closed each year, including six weeks in summer, two weeks at Christmas and Easter, and half-term breaks. However, this isn't the same as 13 weeks of annual leave.

Teachers are contracted for 195 days per year—190 teaching days plus five training days (INSET). The remaining time when schools are closed is non-directed time, but many teachers use portions of it for planning, marking, and preparation.

Unlike typical annual leave, teachers cannot choose when to take time off—holidays must align with school closures. This is a significant consideration for those with family commitments outside school-age children or partners in different industries.