Thinking about working with SEN in schools? You might be asking, how much does a SEN Teaching Assistant earn. Well, most SEN Teaching Assistants earn about £13–£16.50 per hour outside London in 2025, depending on their grade or SCP. In London, it’s usually a bit higher because of extra local pay. Keep in mind, salaries are normally for term-time only and worked out pro rata. Plus, from 1 April 2025, the NJC pay spine went up by 3.2% and the National Living Wage for anyone 21 or over is £12.21 per hour.
So, let’s dive into the details and explore exactly what affects SEN TA pay, from experience and qualifications to location and contract type.
What Is a SEN Teaching Assistant?
A SEN Teaching Assistant (Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant) is a professional who helps pupils with additional learning or physical needs. For example, this can include children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning and physical disabilities. In practice, SEN TAs support students in the classroom, assist with lessons, or work one-to-one with those who need extra attention. Most importantly, most roles follow the NJC support-staff pay grades, which set pay and responsibilities. Overall, their main purpose is to ensure every child can access learning and make progress.
How Much Does a SEN Teaching Assistant Earn per Hour?
First things first, let’s see what SCP and the NJC pay spine are all about. SCP stands for Spinal Column Point. Every school job gets an SCP based on the level of responsibility, experience, and duties. The NJC pay spine is the national scale schools use to set pay for support staff, including SEN Teaching Assistants. In other words, your SCP decides how much you’ll earn per hour.
Now, here’s what you can expect outside London in 2025:
- SCP 3: £12.85/hour – a starting point for newcomers
- SCP 7: £13.69/hour – a small step up as you gain experience
- SCP 10: £14.35/hour – more responsibility, more reward
- SCP 15: £15.56/hour – seasoned TAs start to see a nice jump
- SCP 19: £16.62/hour – experienced TAs at the top of the scale
These rates follow the NJC pay spine, which most schools use. So, always check the SCP listed in the job advert to know your exact pay.
What Is the Average Yearly Salary for a SEN Teaching Assistant?
Let’s look at what this job pays over a year. If you’re just starting as a SEN Teaching Assistant, you can expect around £19,000 a year for a full-time role. As you gain experience, this can rise to about £27,000 a year. Most SEN TA jobs are term-time only, so you’re paid for the weeks you actually work, and your salary is usually spread across 12 months to keep your pay consistent. Your earnings can also change based on your SCP, school, or extra responsibilities.
Do SEN Teaching Assistants Get Paid More Than Other Teaching Assistants?
SEN TAs usually earn a little more than regular TAs, but the difference isn’t huge. Many SEN TA roles come with slightly higher grades or allowances for extra responsibilities. For example, experienced SEN TAs earn around £27,000, while general TAs earn about £26,000. In 2025, NJC allowances, including SEN-related ones, went up by 3.2%, though pay can still vary depending on the school or employer.
Does Pay Change in London and High-Cost Areas?
Yes, pay is higher in London and other expensive areas. For example, schools in Inner and Outer London use local pay scales, which add extra money to both hourly and yearly pay. As a result, SEN Teaching Assistants and other support staff earn more than outside London. However, the exact amount depends on the borough and school. Luckily, councils usually share support-staff pay rates, so you can check them to see what to expect before applying.
How Do Term-Time Only Contracts Affect Take-Home Pay?
When you’re on a term-time only contract, your hourly pay stays the same. The difference is in your yearly salary, which only counts the weeks you actually work—usually around 38 to 40 weeks. To make it easier, schools spread your pay over all 12 months, so you still get a steady paycheck each month.
Basically, councils calculate your hourly rate like this:
- Take your annual salary.
- Divide it by 52.143 to calculate your weekly pay.
- Divide that weekly amount by 37, the standard hours worked per week.
The result is your hourly pay.
Can Experience Increase Your Pay as a SEN TA?
Yes, experience can really boost your pay as a SEN Teaching Assistant. As you gain more experience, you can move up to higher SCPs (Spinal Column Points), which increases your hourly rate. For example, outside London, SCP 8 pays £13.90, SCP 15 pays £15.56, and SCP 19 pays £16.62. In other words, taking on extra responsibilities or completing additional training helps you climb the pay scale and earn more over time
Do Extra Qualifications (Level 3, SEN Training, HLTA) Help You Earn More?
On top of experience, extra qualifications can really boost your pay. As a SEN Teaching Assistant, jobs that need Level 3 qualifications or HLTA duties usually pay a bit more. Plus, some schools add extra SEN allowances to your normal pay. However, pay can still vary between schools, so it’s always worth checking the grade or SCP in the job advert before applying.
Can One-to-One Support Roles Pay More?
Yes, one-to-one support roles can often pay more. Because these jobs come with extra duties, like helping with medical needs or behavioural support, schools or trusts may give a higher grade or add extra allowances. However, the exact pay can change depending on the school, so it’s always a good idea to check the job advert before applying.
Can Agency Work Pay Higher Rates?
Yes, agency work can sometimes pay more. At first, agencies often offer higher daily or hourly rates to attract staff. But, after 12 weeks with the same employer, the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) say you should get the same pay as a permanent employee doing the same job. So, agency work can give a short-term boost, but long-term pay usually evens out.
How Much Can a SEN Teaching Assistant Earn Long-Term?
As you gain experience and take on bigger roles, a SEN Teaching Assistant can earn much more. For example, outside London, hourly pay can reach around £16 to £20, depending on your SCP and local pay grading. Plus, in London, local weighting can push your pay even higher. Still, it’s smart to check your council or academy trust’s latest pay spine to know the exact rates before applying.
Final Thoughts: Is SEN Teaching Assistant Pay Worth It?
If you’re curious about how much a SEN Teaching Assistant earn, the good news is that pay is competitive for support roles in 2025. Thanks to the NJC pay uplift, London weighting and chances to move up through higher SCPs, earnings can grow over time. On top of that, the term-time work pattern gives extra flexibility, and there are clear paths to progress with Level 3 or HLTA qualifications.
If you want to boost your skills and increase your earning potential, check out the SEN Training Course at Unified Course and start your journey today!
FAQs
- How much is the SEN allowance for teaching assistants?
It varies by school and local council, but it’s usually a few hundred to a couple of thousand pounds per year on top of your base pay.
- What is the difference between a TA and a SEN TA?
A SEN TA supports pupils with special educational needs, while a general TA helps the whole class with lessons and activities.
- Is a SEN teaching assistant a good job?
Yes, it’s rewarding if you enjoy helping children with extra needs. It offers experience, career progression, and decent pay.
- How much do special needs assistants get paid?
Outside London, pay usually starts around £13–£16.50/hour, depending on experience and SCP. Annual salaries range roughly £19,000–£27,000.
- Should SEN TAs get paid more?
Often, they do earn slightly more than general TAs because of extra responsibilities and allowances.
- What qualifications do I need to be a SEN teaching assistant?
A Level 2 TA qualification is common, but Level 3, SEN training, or HLTA qualifications can boost pay and opportunities.
- What does a SEN teacher assistant do?
They support pupils with additional needs in class or one-to-one, help with learning, behaviour, and daily tasks, and assist teachers in managing the classroom.
