Work Patterns · Schools

Teaching Assistant Part-Time vs Full-Time Impact Calculator

See what a Teaching Assistant would earn part-time. Full-time pay at the first point of the Support (NJC SCP 5–12) scale is £26,427; the calculator opens on “4 days (80%)”, which gives £21,142 a year before tax, £5,285 less than full-time. Pick another pattern, or switch the salary source to “My payslip gross”.

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  • Last updated:
  • School Teachers' Pay (England)
  • Free, no sign-in

You'll see:

  • Full-time equivalent pay and your pay at your chosen FTE
  • Annual difference vs full-time
Assumptions and pay data

Pay data: School Teachers' Pay (England). Support (NJC SCP 5–12): £26,427 to £29,542 over 8 pay points, rates from 1/4/2026. Checked 9/10/2026.

  • Pay is pro-rated by FTE (full-time equivalent) from the full-time band rate. Pro-rata and pattern rules vary by employer.
  • All amounts are gross. Tax, NI and pension are not deducted.

Part-Time vs Full-Time Impact Calculator

EnglandMaintained schools / STPCD or NJC support staffPay points from 1/4/2026

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Guide for Teaching Assistant

This guide explains how part-time FTE affects gross pay for Teaching Assistant on Support (NJC SCP 5–12) at Schools. Pro-rata rules can vary; check your contract and HR team.

Part-time pay for Teaching Assistant

As Teaching Assistant at Schools, part-time pay is usually pro-rated from full-time basic pay on your band or grade (Support (NJC SCP 5–12) on School Teachers' Pay (England)). Enter your FTE (for example 0.8 for a four-day week) to compare with full-time gross pay. Unsocial hours, HCAS and other enhancements are calculated on actual basic pay where they apply.

Part-time and FTE explained

Full-time equivalent (FTE) compares your contracted hours to a full-time post. 0.8 FTE usually means four days out of five: pay is typically pro-rated to 80% of the full-time salary for the same band. Employers may round or apply local rules, so treat results as a guide.

Part-time in schools

Part-time teachers and support staff are usually paid a pro-rata salary based on sessions or hours. Directed time and leave entitlement are also pro-rated. Term-time-only contracts use a different calculation: see the Reduced Hours calculator.

Progression and pension

Many public sector employers count part-time service at full rate for incremental progression, but not all do. Pension is different: in the career average schemes most public sector staff now build up pension in, each year adds pension based on the pay you actually earn, so a year at 0.8 FTE adds about 80% of a full-time year. Check your contract for progression dates and your pension scheme for how part-time pay affects your pension.

Example scenario

Illustrative example at bottom of band (matches calculator defaults)

Band / gradeSupport (NJC SCP 5–12)
Full-time gross (example)£26,427
At 0.8 FTE (example)£21,142
Annual difference vs full-time£5,285

Frequently asked questions

What does this part-time calculator show for Teaching Assistant?

It compares full-time gross pay on Support (NJC SCP 5–12) with pro-rated pay at your chosen FTE (for example 0.8 for four days a week) using School Teachers' Pay (England).

How is FTE pay worked out for Schools Teaching Assistant?

We multiply the full-time band rate by your FTE. Many employers pro-rata exactly; some apply local rounding. Check gov.uk STPCD, your school or the NEU.

Does part-time affect progression for Teaching Assistant?

Many public sector employers count part-time service at full rate for incremental progression, but rules vary. Confirm with Schools HR before assuming progression dates.

What FTE should I try first?

Start with 0.8 if you are considering a four-day week, then compare 0.9 and 0.6. Keep the same Support (NJC SCP 5–12) and years in band you use on other calculators for this role.

Is leave and pension included?

No. This page shows gross salary only. Use the Annual Leave calculator for pro-rated leave and speak to your pension scheme about part-time contributions.

Can I plan a full part-time journey?

Yes. After you run this tool, use Continue planning to move through allowances, leave and take-home pay with the same band and FTE saved in your browser.

Are the results gross or net? Do you store my data?

Unless this page says otherwise, figures are gross (before tax, National Insurance and pension). Your calculator inputs and results stay in your browser and are not stored. We only collect your name and email if you choose to give them, for example to download your results or sign up for email updates. We store them with MailerLite, our email provider, along with the page you were on. See our privacy policy.

About this role

What is a Teaching Assistant?

A Teaching Assistant (TA) supports teachers in classrooms, helping pupils with learning, behaviour and inclusion. They work in maintained schools and academies, often on term-time contracts.

Typical demands, progression and balance

TA roles offer direct impact on pupils and a route into teaching. Pay and conditions vary by school and contract. Many progress to HLTA or train as teachers.

What about reduced hours or part-time?

Many public sector roles support part-time or reduced hours. Use the calculator above to compare full-time pay with reduced FTE for your band.

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Disclaimer

Illustrative estimates, not financial or career advice. Your payslip and contract decide what you are actually paid.