Worker guides · For Teachers and school leaders in England and Wales · Last reviewed 2026-05-08

Teacher payslip guide - main scale, upper, TLR and leadership

Teacher payslips combine basic pay on the relevant scale with one or more allowances (TLR, SEN, leadership) and Teachers' Pension contributions on a tiered basis. The lines often look complex but break down predictably.

PayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, payroll, accounting, pension, benefits or employment advice. Always verify your payslip, tax code, deductions and take-home pay with your employer's payroll department, HMRC, your pension provider, a qualified accountant, tax adviser or another appropriately qualified professional.

What scale you should be on

Maintained schools follow the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). Locate your scale point on the September figures for the current academic year. Note that academy schools may set their own pay; check your contract.

TLR and SEN allowances

Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) allowances come in three levels: TLR1, TLR2, and TLR3. TLR1 and TLR2 are ongoing; TLR3 is fixed-term for time-limited projects. The allowance appears as a separate line on the payslip. SEN allowance is a separate uplift for designated special educational needs roles. Both are pensionable.

London weighting

Inner London, Outer London, and Fringe pay scales are higher than the rest of England. The premium is built into the scale point, not added as a separate line. If you work in an eligible postcode and your scale point looks low, confirm with the school's HR which scale you are paid on.

Teachers' Pension contributions - tiered

The Teachers' Pension Scheme uses six contribution tiers based on annualised salary. Crossing a tier raises your contribution rate on all pensionable pay, not just the portion above the tier threshold. A small pay rise can therefore reduce take-home if it pushes you into a higher tier. The current tiers are published by Teachers' Pensions.

Tax code expectations

Standard 1257L cumulative for one job. Supply teachers with multiple agencies often see BR on secondary engagements while 1257L is applied to the main agency.

FAQs

Why did my pension deduction jump after my September pay rise?

The Teachers' Pension Scheme uses tiered rates. A pay rise can push you across a tier, raising your contribution rate on the new annualised salary.

What is TLR1 versus TLR2?

TLR1 is paid for a sustained additional responsibility involving leadership across a curriculum area. TLR2 is paid for a sustained additional responsibility that is significant but smaller in scope. The bands and minimum-maximum amounts are set in the STPCD.

Is supply teaching pay processed through the school?

Usually no. Most supply teachers are paid through agencies (sometimes via umbrella companies), which means a different tax-code situation and umbrella deductions appear on the payslip. The /guides/audience/umbrella-vs-ltd-take-home-comparison page covers this.