Reviewed for UK readers: September 2026.
Teaching assistant adverts can be difficult to compare because they often show an FTE salary while the role is both part-time and term-time only. Start by using our pro rata calculator to work out the hours-based percentage, then apply the employer’s confirmed term-time factor if one is needed.
Many school support posts use local-government-style pay arrangements, but academies and other employers may use their own policies. That is why the advertised “actual salary” is an important cross-check.
Quick answer
- Separate the FTE salary from the actual annual salary.
- Calculate part-time hours as a percentage of the full-time week.
- Check term-time working weeks and paid-weeks factor.
- Confirm whether salary is annualised and paid over 12 months.
A two-stage calculation is common
For a term-time teaching assistant, the estimate often has two stages: first reduce the FTE salary for weekly hours, then reduce it for the term-time paid-weeks factor. The factor is not simply “school weeks divided by 52” because paid annual leave and contractual arrangements can be built into it.
Worked example
Suppose the FTE salary is £25,500 based on 37 hours and the job is 30 hours per week. The part-time factor is 30 ÷ 37 = 0.8108. If the employer’s paid-weeks factor is 0.83, the estimate is £25,500 × 0.8108 × 0.83 ≈ £17,158. A vacancy’s published actual salary should be close to the employer’s payroll calculation.
Why two identical-looking adverts can pay differently
One school may require 38 weeks plus five inset days; another may use a different full-time week or paid-weeks factor. Local pay grades can also vary. Compare actual annual salary, weekly hours and required weeks rather than only the headline FTE rate.
Holiday entitlement for term-time support staff
Term-time workers still have holiday rights. The calculation method can depend on whether the worker has regular hours, irregular hours or qualifies as a part-year worker under current rules. Use current GOV.UK guidance and the contract for the correct treatment.
Questions for HR
Ask: What is the FTE salary? What is the actual gross annual salary? How many weekly hours? How many working weeks? What paid-weeks factor is used? Are inset days included? Is the annual salary divided into 12 equal monthly payments?
Common school-pay mistakes to avoid
Do not assume “term time”, “part time”, “FTE” and “actual salary” mean the same thing. A role can be full-time hours but term-time only, or part-time hours across a full year. For school vacancies, compare the FTE rate with the advertised actual annual salary and ask payroll to explain any paid-weeks factor. This is much more reliable than estimating from the number of school weeks alone.
Also check whether inset days, allowances and paid holiday are already included. If your estimate is materially different from the written offer, ask for the calculation before you accept rather than trying to reconcile it after the first payslip.
Use the calculator
For a quick gross salary estimate, use the Pro Rata Calculator UK. Enter the full-time salary and your hours, days or FTE, then compare the result with your contract or payroll figure.
Other school and term-time pay: term-time salary calculator · teachers · term-time pro rata calculator · term-time only pay · term-time vs full-year salary · term-time holiday pay · school salaries · teachers' pension · lecturers · HLTAs · nursery nurses · lunchtime supervisors · exam invigilators · school caretakers
Frequently asked questions
What does “£25,000 pro rata” mean for a teaching assistant?
It means £25,000 is likely the full-time equivalent rate and the actual salary will be adjusted for the contracted pattern.
Why is teaching assistant actual salary much lower than FTE?
Because many posts combine fewer weekly hours with term-time-only working.
Are teaching assistants paid during school holidays?
Many receive annualised salary in 12 monthly instalments, but this is a payment method for annual contractual pay rather than extra weeks worked.
Is there one UK-wide teaching assistant pay formula?
No. Employer, nation, local pay framework and contract can affect the calculation.
Authoritative sources