How Are ECTs Paid?

In this blog, you will learn:

• How ECTs are paid. 
• Who employs an ECT. 
• The skills that make an effective ECT. 
• Where the latest ECT jobs are and how to apply for them.

Despite just embarking on a career in education, Early Career Teachers (ECT) play an integral role in classrooms up and down the UK. Their fresh insight into the education sector and motivation to deliver positive learning outcomes are essential for the success of all students, whether they teach in a primary, secondary or SEND school. 

If you’re currently on a Teacher training course or working towards your PGCE, we’re here to clear up important questions you might have before you officially become an ECT!

How are ECTs paid?

ECTs who work via a recruitment agency are generally paid through an umbrella company. The process for this involves a recruitment agency charging a school a particular rate for providing an ECT. The umbrella company will then use the payment they receive from the recruitment agency to pay the ECT. 

To calculate daily pay, an annual salary is divided by the approximate number of working days, which is around 195 within a typical school year. 

Early Career Teachers across England and Wales will begin their teaching career at the lowest point of the pay scale. For classroom Teachers, this sits at £32,916 per annum but can change depending on the location of a school. Generally, Teachers in London and surrounding areas can expect a higher salary due to the higher cost of living in these locations. 

Throughout the education sector, pay scales determine what a Teacher should be paid, based on their experience and years of service. 

For ECTs, there are ample opportunities to progress pay. ECTs will move up the pay scale from M1 salary to M2 salary, providing they pass their year. From then onwards, a Teacher will progress along the pay scale yearly. 

Who employs an ECT?

Across the UK, an Early Career Teacher can be employed in one of the following settings:

• A local authority maintained school.
• An academy.
• A free school.
• An independent school.
• A further education college.

ECTs can work within primary or secondary schools, but may need a degree, or at least relevant qualifications, in a specialist area to teach a specific subject at secondary level. 

For primary school Teachers, knowledge across all key subjects, such as English, Maths and Science is advantageous.

For ECTs who pursue a teaching career in a SEN setting, experience working with children and young people with specific learning needs can be useful. 

What skills make an effective ECT?

There are a number of professional and personal skills that make a successful Early Career Teacher. For those just embarking on a teaching career, it is crucial to put the skills learnt during teacher training into practice in an active classroom. 

To begin with, compassion is important for building trust between an ECT and their pupils. When students feel valued within the classroom, they should be more likely to show equal respect to their Teachers. 

Strong organisational skills are essential for the smooth running of a classroom. Secondary education recruitment consultant, Liam Jones, says, “Students thrive off stability and the more organised an ECT is, the better chance they have of delivering positive learning outcomes.”

Liam continues, “A classroom environment should be kept tidy and a plan of action for the day is essential to ensure an ECT can introduce an effective routine.”

Alongside compassion and effective organisation, an ECT will also benefit from strong initiative in the classroom. Faced with potential classroom issues, such as disruptive students, an ECT must be able to think on the spot to ensure minimal disruption to learning. Strong initiative is a great skill for ECTs who often have to make important decisions that prioritise the learning and welfare of all students. 

ECT Teacher jobs

If you’re searching for an ECT Teacher job, why not take a look at the latest ECT Teacher vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.

Recruiting Early Career Teachers?

As experts in mainstream and SEND school recruitment, we support schools with their temporary, permanent and temp-perm staffing needs. 

We currently work with hundreds of schools and have exclusive access to some of the best Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Early Career Teachers in the North West.

If you’re struggling to fill an Early Career Teacher vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?

Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher
Secondary schools - Liam Jones
SEND schools - Jamie Heath 

Meet Liam Jones

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2025, Spencer Clarke Group was awarded Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards. In 2024, Spencer Clarke Group was also named Recruitment Agency of the Year.