Teachers’ Pay and Allowances
from 1 September 2025

DE Circular Number: 2026/07

Issued: 13 January 2026

The Determination gives effect in law to a 4% consolidated pay award to all teacher salary scale points with effect from 1 September 2025. Teaching and Special Needs Allowances are also increased by 4% from this date.

1. Pay Spine for the Leadership Group

Annual salary (£) from 1 September 2025

Spine Point Annual Salary (£)
L1 51,834
L2 53,104
L3 54,403
L4 55,728
L5 57,089
L6 58,491
L7 60,038
L8 61,398
L9 62,903
L10 64,490
L11 66,135
L12 67,635
L13 69,300
L14 70,998
L15 72,738
L16 74,642
L17 76,331
L18 78,223
L19 80,136
L20 82,096
L21 84,099
L22 86,160
L23 88,269
L24 90,427
L25 92,648
L26 94,913
L27 97,238
L28 99,622
L29 102,064
L30 104,574
L31 107,133
L32 109,768
L33 112,467
L34 115,221
L35 118,058
L36 120,954
L37 123,934
L38 126,971
L39 130,040
L40 133,951
L41 136,559
L42 139,951
L43 143,422

2. Pay Ranges for Principals

Salary ranges from 1 September 2025

Group Range of Spine Points Salary Range (£)
1 L6 – L18 58,491 – 78,223
2 L8 – L21 61,398 – 84,099
3 L11 – L24 66,135 – 90,427
4 L14 – L27 70,998 – 97,238
5 L18 – L31 78,223 – 107,133
6 L21 – L35 84,099 – 118,058
7 L24 – L39 90,427 – 130,040
8 L28 – L43 99,622 – 143,422

3. Pay Scales for Classroom Teachers

3.1 Main Pay Scale

Annual salary (£) from 1 September 2025

Scale Point Annual Salary (£)
M2 32,916
M3 35,185
M4 37,809
M5 40,700
M6 43,830

3.2 Post-threshold (Upper Pay Scale)

Annual salary (£) from 1 September 2025

Scale Point Annual Salary (£)
UPS 1 47,390
UPS 2 49,104
UPS 3 50,876

4. Additional Allowances

4.1 Teaching Allowances

Annual allowance (£) from 1 September 2025

Level of Teaching Allowance Annual Allowance (£)
1 2,505
2 5,058
3 8,682
4 11,957
5 16,135

4.2 Recruitment and Retention Allowances

Annual allowance (£) from 1 September 2025

Allowance Annual Allowance (£)
Recruitment and Retention 1 1,627
Recruitment and Retention 2 3,190

4.3 Special Education Needs Allowances

Annual allowance (£) from 1 September 2025

Allowance Annual Allowance (£)
Special Needs 1 2,717
Special Needs 2 5,362

5. Hourly Rate – Homework Centres

For teachers employed in “Homework Centres” (Regulation 15(5) of the Teachers’ Salaries Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 No. 318):

Hourly Rate (£)
25.94