How Much Do Primary School Teachers Earn?

How Much Do Primary School Teachers Earn? Salary, Career & Training Guide

Primary school teachers play a crucial role in shaping the development of young children aged 4–11. From teaching core subjects like English and Maths to managing classroom behaviour and encouraging emotional growth, it’s a deeply rewarding job—but one that comes with workload and responsibility.

This guide explains how much primary school teachers earn in the UK, the qualifications needed, career paths, salary bands, benefits, and future prospects in education.

Job Description: What Do Primary School Teachers Do?

Primary school teachers educate and care for children in Key Stage 1 (ages 5–7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11), often teaching multiple subjects in one class.

Responsibilities:

• Planning and delivering lessons across the curriculum

• Marking work and assessing student progress

• Managing classroom behaviour and setting routines

• Supporting children’s emotional and social development

• Engaging with parents and carers

• Attending staff meetings, training and parent evenings

• Reporting on safeguarding and child welfare concerns

How Hard Is It to Become a Primary School Teacher?

It’s not academically hard, but it is intense. Training combines theory and classroom placements. Once qualified, workload and emotional pressure are often cited as challenges, but for those with the right personality, it's a fulfilling long-term career.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

• Patience and compassion for young learners

• Organisation and multitasking skills

• Strong communication – with children and adults

• Creativity in lesson planning and engagement

• Resilience, especially when dealing with behaviour or bureaucracy

• Adaptability, as each day can be unpredictable

• Team spirit, especially in multi-class year groups

Do You Need Qualifications?

Yes. You must achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to work in state primary schools in England and Wales.

Typical routes:

1. Undergraduate route – 3–4 years

• BA/BSc with QTS or

• Bachelor of Education (BEd)

2. Postgraduate route (PGCE) – 1 year

• Requires a degree in any subject

• Includes academic study + school placements

3. Apprenticeships / School Direct / Teach First

• Work-based teacher training

• Paid training and earn QTS on the job

You must also have:

• GCSEs in English, Maths and Science (grade 4/C+)

• Enhanced DBS check

Career Levels and Specialisations

Early Career Teacher (ECT) - Newly qualified, first 2 years

Classroom Teacher - Standard teaching role

Lead Teacher / Year Lead - Coordinates a year group

SEN Coordinator (SENCO) - Supports students with special needs

Deputy Headteacher - Senior leadership team

Headteacher - Runs the whole school

Specialisations:

• SEND (Special Educational Needs)

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

• Literacy/Numeracy specialist

• Pastoral care / safeguarding lead

• Curriculum leadership (e.g. science or PE lead)

What Experience Do You Need?

• Classroom placements during PGCE or BEd

• Volunteering in schools is helpful pre-application

• Many teachers gain experience as teaching assistants before qualifying

• Enhanced understanding of child development and safeguarding is crucial

Benefits of Being a Primary School Teacher

• Making a lasting impact on children’s lives

• Strong job security in public sector

• Clear salary scale and progression

• Pension and holiday pay

• Opportunities to specialise or lead

• Satisfying work, especially watching students grow and succeed

• Option to work internationally with UK qualifications

Drawbacks and Negatives

• Long hours outside the classroom – planning, marking, admin

• High emotional workload – behaviour, safeguarding, expectations

• Stress and burnout – especially early in the career

• Low flexibility compared to other careers

• Curriculum and inspection pressure (e.g. Ofsted)

Primary School Teacher Salary in the UK (2024)

England & Wales (excluding London):

Early Career Teacher (ECT) - £30,000 – £33,000

Main Pay Scale - £30,000 – £41,333

Upper Pay Scale - £43,266 – £46,525

Leadership Roles - £47,185 – £93,000+

London weighting adds:

• Inner London: +£4,000 – £6,000

• Outer London: +£3,000

• Fringe: +£1,000 – £1,500

Tax Example:

A teacher earning £35,000/year outside London would pay:

• Income Tax: ~£4,432

• National Insurance: ~£3,149

• Take-home pay: ~£27,400/year or £527/week

Pension contributions (TPS) further reduce take-home but offer excellent retirement benefits.

What Factors Affect Salary?

• Region – London pays more

• Experience – more years = higher scale

• Responsibility – extra roles boost income

• Academy vs local authority – academies set their own scales

• Leadership positions – Deputy Heads and Heads earn significantly more

• Unions and pay awards – annually reviewed

What’s the Future for This Role?

Primary education remains a cornerstone of the UK workforce, but challenges continue.

Future trends:

• Increased demand for SEND training

• Digital learning and online teaching skills

• Rising use of AI tools for marking and lesson planning

• Mental health and wellbeing roles are expanding

• Curriculum changes and tech integration in classrooms

Best Employers in the UK Education Sector

Local Authority Primary Schools - Reliable public sector work

Academy Trusts (e.g. Harris, Ark) - Higher pay bands, development opportunities

Independent / Private Schools - Often smaller classes, but higher pressure

International Schools - UK QTS in demand globally

Online Learning Providers - Growing niche, more flexibility

Teach First - Graduate-focused training scheme

Outreach and SEN Schools -SEND and behavioural specialisation

Final Thought

Teaching in a primary school is one of the most influential careers you can pursue. It takes patience, dedication, and heart—but the rewards are lifelong. From watching children grow to shaping the future generation, it’s a profession full of meaning—and with the right progression, strong financial stability too.