Teach First Salary: What You’ll Take Home After Tax and NI in 2026/27

Teach First Salary Overview

If you’re considering teacher training through Teach First, you’ll earn a teach first salary from day one in the classroom. The programme is fully funded, and your pay depends on the subject you teach, the region, and whether you are in your first or second year. For 2026/27, the Department for Education has set specific pay bands for unqualified and qualified teachers.

In your first year, you are paid on the unqualified teacher scale. For secondary maths, science, and modern foreign languages, the salary outside London is £27,785, rising to £33,528 in inner London. For other secondary subjects, it’s £25,193 outside London, and for primary and early years, it’s £22,601 outside London. These figures come from Teach First.

In your second year, you move to point one of the qualified teacher scale. The minimum salary then is at least £32,916 outside London, £34,398 in the London fringe, £37,870 in outer London, and £40,317 in inner London. This is a significant jump and reflects your newly qualified teacher status.

Gross Salary vs Take-Home Pay

Your gross salary is the amount before any deductions. What you actually receive in your bank account – your take-home pay – is lower after income tax, National Insurance, and any pension or student loan contributions. For a teacher on the main pay scale (M1) at £31,650 nationally, take-home pay after tax and NI only is about £26,308 per year, or £2,192 per month, according to.

For a Teach First trainee in year two on £32,916 outside London, the take-home pay would be roughly £27,200 annually, or £2,267 monthly. In inner London on £40,317, take-home rises to about £32,500 per year, or £2,708 per month. These estimates exclude pension and student loan deductions. To see your exact figures, use our take-home calculator.

Income Tax and National Insurance

Like all UK employees, your teach first salary is subject to income tax and National Insurance. For the 2026/27 tax year, the personal allowance is £12,570 – you pay no tax on this portion. The basic rate of 20% applies to earnings between £12,571 and £50,270. If your salary exceeds £50,270, the higher rate of 40% applies to the excess. Employee National Insurance is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% on anything above that.

These rates are set by HMRC and apply across the UK, except Scotland where income tax bands differ slightly. If you work in Scotland, you may pay different rates on higher earnings. Always check your tax code and payslip.

Pension Contributions

Teachers in England are enrolled in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, a defined benefit scheme. Your employer contributes 28.6% of your salary – a substantial benefit. Your own contribution is tiered based on your salary. For example, on a salary of £34,000, your contribution would be around 9.8%. These contributions are deducted from your gross pay before tax, reducing your take-home pay but building a valuable pension. The exact rates are published by the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and can be found on GOV.UK.

If you opt out of the pension, your take-home pay would be higher, but you would lose the employer contribution and future retirement income. Most teachers remain in the scheme.

Regional Variations

Your teach first salary varies significantly by region. London teachers receive higher pay to reflect the higher cost of living. For example, a qualified teacher on the main pay scale (M1) earns £31,650 nationally, but £38,766 in London (inner London weighting). After tax and NI, the London take-home is about £31,431 per year, compared to £26,308 nationally. The difference is even greater for experienced teachers on the upper pay range.

When comparing job offers, always consider the regional pay scales and your personal circumstances. Use our salary data to compare gross and net pay across different areas.

Summary

The teach first salary offers a competitive starting point, especially in London and for shortage subjects. Your take-home pay depends on your gross salary, tax, NI, and any deductions. For a typical year two trainee outside London, you can expect around £2,267 per month after tax and NI. Remember to factor in pension contributions and student loan repayments if applicable. For a personalised calculation, try our take-home calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for a Teach First trainee in 2026/27?

Your salary depends on your subject and region. In year one, secondary maths, science, and modern foreign languages teachers earn £27,785 outside London, rising to £33,528 in inner London. Primary and early years trainees earn £22,601 outside London. In year two, you move to the qualified teacher scale, with a minimum of £32,916 outside London and £40,317 in inner London.

How much take-home pay will I receive after tax and NI?

For a typical year two Teach First teacher on £32,916 outside London, take-home pay after income tax and National Insurance is roughly £27,200 per year, or about £2,267 per month. This does not include pension or student loan deductions. Use our take-home calculator for a personalised estimate.

Do Teach First teachers pay into a pension?

Yes. As a teacher, you are automatically enrolled in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, a defined benefit scheme. Your employer contributes 28.6% of your salary. Your own contribution is tiered based on your earnings – typically between 5% and 12.5%. These contributions are deducted from your gross pay before tax, reducing your take-home pay but building a valuable retirement income.