SEN Salaries

SEN Salaries Overview in the UK (2024 Estimates)

When making your career choice, it’s important to consider the earning potential available to you in your chosen sector. This supports financial planning and can guide your entire career journey.

A career in special education is boundless in progression potential and in this blog, we explore some of the factors influencing the salaries of SEN teachers and SEN teaching assistants, offering insights into average earnings and regional disparities.

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How Much Do SEN Teachers Get Paid?

The role of SEN Teacher can be complex and challenging, but equally rewarding and fulfilling to see the students thrive. Below is a guide to the salary levels on offer for SEN Teachers in the UK.

• Starting Salary: SEN teachers typically start with a salary in line with Standard Teaching Pay Scales. For newly qualified teachers (NQTs) in 2024, this can range from £28,000 to £35,000 per year, depending on the region (with higher salaries in London).
• Experienced SEN Teachers: With experience, SEN teachers can earn between £38,000 and £52,000. Those in leadership positions or with additional responsibilities can earn more, sometimes exceeding £55,000 per year.

How much will a Head Teacher in a Special School Get Paid?

The salary of a Head Teacher in a special school will depend on several factors such as the size of the school and pupil numbers. Schools are categorised into group sizes which are based on a total number of pupils (amongst other considerations). The larger the school is deeming a greater level of responsibility and complexity, therefore rewarding a higher the salary.

For 2023-2024, here’s an example of the salary range for Head Teachers:

• Group 1: £53,380 to £71,019
• Group 2: £56,082 to £76,430
• Group 3: £60,488 to £82,258
• Group 4: £65,010 to £88,530
• Group 5: £71,729 to £97,639
• Group 6: £77,195 to £107,700
• Group 7: £83,081 to £118,732
• Group 8: £91,633 to £131,056

This structured pay scale ensures that Head Teachers are compensated in relation to the demands of their role, reflecting both the scale of their responsibilities and the resources managed.

How Much Do SEN Teaching Assistants Earn?

Starting out as a SEN Teaching Assistant or SEN TA is a sensible way to gain hands on experience working in a school with students who have special educational needs and disabilities. It provides a solid foundation for understanding the demands of the job role and what is involved.

As a TA, you can see firsthand what the roles of teacher or more senior leadership positions have to offer. Often, little or no experience is required for the role of SEN Teaching Assistant, but you would be expected to gain qualifications for your own professional development. Schools and agencies will quite often support you to gain qualifications, which will in turn increase how much you are paid.

• Starting Salary: SEN Teaching Assistants or SEN TA's usually start with a salary ranging from £18,000 to £22,000 per year. This can vary depending on the school, location, and level of experience.
• Experienced SEN TAs: More experienced SEN TAs can earn between £23,000 and £27,000 per year. Some SEN TAs with specialist skills or additional responsibilities may earn more.

Are SEN Teaching Assistants Paid More?

• Comparison with General TAs: SEN TAs are often paid slightly more than general teaching assistants The higher pay for SEN Teaching Assistants reflects the need for specific skills and training to support students with various physical, behavioural, and learning difficulties.
• Often, it’s possible to demand a higher salary as a SEN Teaching Assistant if you have a skill that is in high demand such as British Sign Language (BSL), Makaton or specific behaviour management training such as Team Teach.
• Additionally, the complexity, physical and emotional demands of working with SEN students contribute to the higher salary levels in this role.

What is the Average Salary for a SEN Teaching Assistant in the UK?

• Average Salary: The average salary for a SEN teaching assistant in the UK in 2024 is estimated to be approximately £20,000 to £23,000 per year. This average can vary based on factors such as location, experience, and the specific needs of the students they support. Whilst this salary has increased over the past five years , many will argue that it’s not a true reflection of the increase in cost of living and SEN TA’s should be paid more based on the level of responsibility they hold in their role.

How Much Do SEN Tutors Earn?

Since the Covid pandemic, the teaching sector has seen a rise in the number of SEN Tutors required to support children with special needs. For some, the return to a classroom has not been possible with a preference for learning online, a reluctance to attend the school setting and other reasons. The increase in the number of SEN children in the UK has also exacerbated the level of demand.

On the other hand, many educators have seen the benefits of tutoring as a means to using their teaching qualifications but on a more flexible basis to suit themselves and their families.

Many tutors are self-employed meaning they don’t see the teachers pension benefit or employment rights associated with being employed, but for some the ability to do the job they love whilst having flexibility outweighs any downsides.

• Hourly Rate: SEN tutors typically earn between £30 and £50 per hour, depending on their qualifications, experience, and the specific needs of their students.
• Annual Salary: For full-time SEN tutors, this can translate to an annual salary ranging from £35,000 to £55,000 or more, depending on the number of hours worked and the rates charged.

Summary

The education sector is governed in the main by pay scales which are dependent on skills, experience, school size and pupil numbers as follows:

• SEN Teachers: £28,000 to £55,000+ per year, depending on experience and position.
• SEN Teaching Assistants: £18,000 to £27,000 per year, with an average of £20,000 to £23,000.
• SEN Tutors: £30 to £50 per hour, or £35,000 to £55,000+ per year for full-time work.

These figures provide a general overview of salaries for SEN roles in the UK for 2024. Specific salaries can vary based on location, experience, and individual school or organisation policies.

If you’re currently looking for a new role in SEN or just starting out your career, take a look at the thousands of sen teacher & sen teaching assistant jobs at Senploy