Teach First Salary 2026: What You Could Earn During and After Training

Teach First Salary: What You Can Expect During and After Training

If you're considering teaching through the Teach First training programme, understanding the salary structure is essential. Teach First salaries are based on the unqualified teacher pay scale in the first year, then move to the qualified classroom teacher scale from the second year. This article breaks down the figures for 2026-27, including regional differences and how they compare to average teacher pay across the UK.

First-Year Teach First Salary (Unqualified Teacher Scale)

Teach First trainees are paid according to the unqualified teacher pay scale, with the specific point depending on the subject and phase they teach. According to the Teach First website, primary and early years trainees are placed at point one of the unqualified scale, while secondary maths, science, and modern foreign languages trainees are at point three, and other secondary subjects at point two.

The unqualified teacher pay scale for 2026-27, as published by GOV.UK Get Into Teaching, ranges from £23,732 to £36,494 in England (excluding London), with higher amounts in London fringe, Outer London, and Inner London. The table below shows the first-year Teach First salaries by region and subject:

Region	Primary/Early Years (Point 1)	Secondary Maths, Science, MFL (Point 3)	Other Secondary (Point 2)
Rest of England	£22,601	£27,785	£25,193
London fringe	£24,066	£29,248	£26,656
Outer London	£26,789	£31,974	£29,383
Inner London	£28,343	£33,528	£30,935

These figures are for the first year of the Training Programme. Note that the unqualified teacher scale maximums are higher, but Teach First trainees start at the lower points.

Second-Year Teach First Salary (Qualified Teacher Scale)

From the second year, Teach First participants move to point one of the qualified classroom teacher scale. The minimum salaries from September 2026 are:

• Rest of England: £32,916
• London fringe: £34,398
• Outer London: £37,870
• Inner London: £40,317

These are the starting points for qualified teachers. Over time, teachers progress through the pay bands. The qualified teacher pay scale for 2026-27 shows maximums of £52,835 (rest of England) and £64,684 (Inner London). After five years, a typical teacher could earn at least £46,960 (or more in London), according to GOV.UK.

Regional Variations in Teacher Pay

Teacher salaries vary significantly by region, both for Teach First and for the profession as a whole. The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (2025 provisional) provides median full-time salaries for teaching professionals across Great Britain:

Region	Median Full-Time Salary
Scotland	£47,574
London	£46,945
Wales	£46,623
North East	£43,590
North West	£42,864
West Midlands	£41,460
South West	£40,075
South East	£39,935
Yorkshire and The Humber	£39,823
East	£39,688
East Midlands	£38,991

These figures are for all teaching professionals (including primary, secondary, and further education) and include both experienced and early-career teachers. The Teach First salary in the second year is below these medians, reflecting the early stage of a teaching career.

How Teach First Salary Compares to Average UK Teacher Pay

The average (mean) salary for teaching professionals is £41,577, while the median (the midpoint) is £42,660 for all employees, according to ONS ASHE. For full-time employees only, the median is £47,328. The average teacher salary from September 2026 is over £52,800, as stated by GOV.UK Get Into Teaching. Teach First trainees start lower but can expect to reach these averages after a few years of experience.

It's important to note that the ONS category 'Teaching Professionals' is a broad group. The figures for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are separate from the English pay scales. Scotland uses different Income Tax bands, which can affect take-home pay, but the salary figures above are gross.

Take-Home Pay Considerations

Gross salary is the headline figure, but what you actually receive after deductions matters. For a Teach First trainee earning £32,916 in year two (rest of England), the approximate monthly take-home pay (2026/27 tax year, England/Wales rates, no pension or student loan) would be:

• Gross monthly: £2,743
• Income Tax (20% above £12,570): -£363
• National Insurance (8%): -£219
• Take-home: ~£2,161

Adding a 5% auto-enrolment pension contribution reduces take-home by roughly £137 per month. These are estimates; actual deductions depend on personal circumstances.

Progression Beyond Teach First

After completing the two-year Teach First programme, participants continue as qualified teachers. The qualified teacher pay scale allows progression through pay bands based on performance and experience. The maximum on the main pay scale for a classroom teacher in England (excluding London) is £52,835, and in Inner London it reaches £64,684. With additional responsibilities, such as becoming a head of department or senior leader, salaries can go higher.

For more context on how teacher salaries compare to other occupations, see our salary articles and salary data pages. You can also explore the salary index for a broader view of UK pay.

Summary

The Teach First salary in 2026-27 starts at between £22,601 and £33,528 in the first year, depending on region and subject, rising to at least £32,916 (rest of England) in the second year. This is below the average teacher salary of over £52,800, but reflects the training nature of the programme. After qualifying, teachers can progress to higher pay bands, with experienced teachers earning well above the national median. Regional differences are significant, with London and Scotland offering higher median salaries. For more information on average salaries across the UK, visit UK Average Salary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Teach First trainees earn in their first year? Teach First first-year salaries are based on the unqualified teacher pay scale and vary by region and subject. For primary/early years, the salary ranges from £22,601 (rest of England) to £28,343 (Inner London). For secondary maths, science, and modern foreign languages, it ranges from £27,785 (rest of England) to £33,528 (Inner London). Other secondary subjects pay between £25,193 and £30,935.

What is the Teach First salary in the second year? In the second year, Teach First participants move to point one of the qualified classroom teacher scale. Minimum salaries are: rest of England £32,916, London fringe £34,398, Outer London £37,870, and Inner London £40,317. These figures apply from September 2026.

How does the Teach First salary compare to the average teacher salary in the UK? The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (2025 provisional) reports a median full-time salary of £47,328 for teaching professionals. After five years, a typical qualified teacher earns at least £46,960 (rest of England). Teach First trainees start lower but progress to the qualified scale, with potential earnings up to £64,684 (Inner London) at the top of the main pay range.