Can Supply Teachers Get the 5.5% Pay Rise?
Supply teaching is an increasingly popular career choice for educators seeking flexibility and variety in their work. However, one common challenge supply teachers face is understanding and negotiating their pay. Unlike permanent teaching positions, where salaries are clearly defined by pay scales, supply teachers often receive a set daily rate determined by the supply agency they work for.
But can a supply teacher get a 5.5% pay rise? Let’s explore how supply teaching pay works and how you can potentially get the pay rise.
How Are Supply Teachers Paid?
Supply teachers typically secure work through supply agencies. These agencies post job opportunities with a specified daily or hourly rate, which can vary depending on factors like location, level of responsibility, and the teacher’s experience.
While these rates are often fixed, there is room for negotiation, especially for experienced supply teachers. By understanding where you fall on the teacher spine points—salary bands based on experience and qualifications—you might be able to negotiate a better daily rate with your agency. However, the extent of this negotiation depends largely on the agency’s policies and the specific requirements of the job.
The 5.5% Pay Increase for Permanent Teachers
From September 2024, permanent teachers in England will see a 5.5% pay increase. While this is undoubtedly good news for full-time educators, it doesn’t automatically apply to supply teachers. Typically, supply teachers are not eligible for these pay increases as they are often perceived as not performing the full spectrum of a teacher’s duties, such as lesson planning and student data tracking.
However, at Elevate Supply, we understand the true scope of a supply teacher’s role. We know from experience that supply teachers often arrive early to organise the day, adjust lesson plans, assess student progress during lessons, and communicate with other staff members and parents. This is why we believe supply teachers should have the opportunity to set their own day rate, using the new 2024/25 teacher pay scales as a guide.
How to Use the 2025 Pay Scales to Set Your Rate
At Elevate Supply, we empower our supply teachers to determine their own daily rates. To help you calculate a fair rate, you can reference the new 2024/25 teacher pay scales, which provide a detailed breakdown of permanent teacher salaries:
Teacher pay, England (excluding London):
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Suggested Supply Teacher Pay Day Rate | Increase |
M1 | £30,000 | £31,650 | £162.82 | 5.5% |
M2 | £31,737 | £33,483 | £171.70 | 5.5% |
M3 | £33,814 | £35,674 | £182.94 | 5.5% |
M4 | £36,051 | £38,034 | £195.07 | 5.5% |
M5 | £38,330 | £40,438 | £207.38 | 5.5% |
M6 | £41,333 | £43,606 | £223.10 | 5.5% |
U1 | £43,266 | £45,646 | £234.08 | 5.5% |
U2 | £44,870 | £47,338 | £242.76 | 5.5% |
U3 | £46,525 | £49,084 | £251.18 | 5.5% |
Teacher pay, inner London:
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Suggested Supply Teacher Pay Day Rate | Increase |
M1 | £36,745 | £38,766 | £198.80 | 5.5% |
M2 | £38,491 | £40,608 | £208.25 | 5.5% |
M3 | £40,318 | £42,535 | £218.64 | 5.5% |
M4 | £42,233 | £44,556 | £228.49 | 5.5% |
M5 | £44,615 | £47,069 | £241.38 | 5.5% |
M6 | £47,666 | £50,288 | £257.37 | 5.5% |
U1 | £52,526 | £55,415 | £284.69 | 5.5% |
U2 | £55,107 | £58,138 | £298.15 | 5.5% |
U3 | £56,959 | £60,092 | £308.17 | 5.5% |
Teacher pay, outer London:
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Suggested Supply Teacher Pay Day Rate | Increase |
M1 | £34,514 | £36,412 | £186.75 | 5.5% |
M2 | £36,320 | £38,318 | £196.50 | 5.5% |
M3 | £38,219 | £40,321 | £206.78 | 5.5% |
M4 | £40,218 | £42,430 | £217.08 | 5.5% |
M5 | £42,654 | £45,000 | £230.77 | 5.5% |
M6 | £46,001 | £48,531 | £248.88 | 5.5% |
U1 | £47,592 | £50,210 | £257.49 | 5.5% |
U2 | £49,353 | £52,067 | £267.01 | 5.5% |
U3 | £51,179 | £53,994 | £276.89 | 5.5% |
Main and upper pay scales (London fringe):
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Suggested Supply Teacher Day Rate | Increase |
M1 | £31,350 | £33,074 | £169.61 | 5.5% |
M2 | £33,150 | £34,973 | £179.35 | 5.5% |
M3 | £35,204 | £37,140 | £190.46 | 5.5% |
M4 | £37,436 | £39,495 | £202.54 | 5.5% |
M5 | £39,687 | £41,870 | £214.72 | 5.5% |
M6 | £42,689 | £45,037 | £230.98 | 5.5% |
U1 | £44,579 | £47,031 | £241.70 | 5.5% |
U2 | £46,179 | £48,719 | £249.84 | 5.5% |
U3 | £47,839 | £50,470 | £258.31 | 5.5% |
To establish your day rate, take your corresponding spine point on the pay scale and divide it by 195, the number of working days in a typical school year. This calculation gives you a clear idea of what a permanent teacher earns daily, considering their additional responsibilities such as leading subjects, data tracking, long-term planning and/or preparing Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). With this figure in mind, you can set a rate that fairly compensates you for your contributions as a supply teacher. Elevate Supply is here to support you in this process, ensuring you receive the pay you deserve by allowing you to set your own day rate.
Long-Term Assignments and Pay to Scale
It’s important to note that if you’re on a long-term assignment, your pay should reflect the full responsibilities of the role. After 12 weeks in the same position, supply agencies are legally required to pay you according to the appropriate pay scale just like a permanent staff member which includes the 5.5% pay rise.
Why Elevate Supply Cares About Your Pay
At Elevate Supply, we are deeply committed to supporting our supply teachers. While a pay rise for supply teachers isn’t automatically guaranteed, we believe that understanding your worth is crucial. By allowing you to set your own day rate, we give you control over your earnings and help you navigate the complexities of supply teaching pay.
In addition to excellent pay, we offer our teachers valuable resources to support them in their roles. Work just one day a month with Elevate Supply, and you’ll receive a Twinkl Ultimate membership, granting you access to a vast range of teaching resources. We also provide a free Elevate planner to help you stay organised throughout the school year.
At Elevate Supply, we know that supply teaching is more than just filling in—it’s about making a meaningful impact on students’ lives. We believe your pay should reflect the value you bring to every classroom you enter.
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