School support roles (like Teaching Assistants) are often advertised as Term-Time Only (TTO). That usually means you work during school terms and don’t work in the holidays — but your pay is calculated using a paid-weeks figure (term weeks + holiday entitlement) and then spread evenly across 12 months.

What “Term-Time Only” actually means

• Weeks worked: typically the 38–39 teaching weeks, plus some INSET/training days (varies by employer).
• Holiday entitlement: you still earn paid holiday, but you normally take it during school holiday periods.
• Paid weeks: employers combine the term weeks you work plus your holiday entitlement (and sometimes INSET) to give a single figure (often around 43–46 weeks).
• Annualised pay: most schools spread your total pay equally over 12 months, so each payslip is similar.

Note: Exact numbers differ by local authority/academy trust and grade. Your contract/offer letter will state the official paid-weeks figure, contracted hours, and grade/scale point.

Three moving parts that set your “actual salary”

1. Hours per week (e.g., 25, 30, 32.5).
2. Paid weeks (e.g., 45).
3. Rate or FTE (either an hourly rate, or an annual FTE salary for that grade/scale point).

If the job is advertised with an hourly rate

Weekly pay = hourly rate × hours per week

Annual (gross) = weekly pay × paid weeks

Typical monthly = annual ÷ 12

If the job is advertised with an FTE salary

Actual salary = FTE × (contracted hours ÷ full-time hours) × (paid weeks ÷ 52)

Full-time hours are defined by the employer (commonly 37 hours/week).

Illustrative examples (the maths only)

These are examples to show the calculation — not promises of pay. Your employer will confirm the figures.

Example 1 — Hourly rate

• Hours: 30 hrs/week
• Hourly rate: £12.50
• Paid weeks: 45

Weekly pay = 30 × £12.50 = £375
Annual = £375 × 45 = £16,875
Monthly (annual ÷ 12) ≈ £1,406

Example 2 — FTE salary

• FTE: £24,000, full-time = 37 hrs/week
• Contract: 30 hrs/week
• Paid weeks: 45

Actual = £24,000 × (30 ÷ 37) × (45 ÷ 52) ≈ £16,958 (≈ £1,413/month)

Term weeks vs paid weeks — why both matter

• Term weeks are the weeks you’re in school.
• Paid weeks include term weeks plus your paid holiday (and sometimes INSET/training).
• Two adverts with the same hours and rate can show different actual salaries if their paid-weeks figures differ.

Annual leave & taking time off

• TTO roles usually require you to take your paid leave during school holidays.
• Leave during term time is generally restricted and needs prior approval under policy.

Common phrases decoded

• “Actual salary (pro-rata)” — your pay after adjusting the FTE for hours and paid weeks.
• “Term-time + X weeks” — implies term weeks worked plus X paid weeks (often holiday/INSET) for payroll.
• “Annualised” — total pay spread evenly across 12 monthly payslips.

Checklist before you accept an offer

• What are my contracted hours per week?
• What is the paid-weeks figure?
• What grade/scale point (or hourly rate) applies?
• Is pay pro-rata and spread over 12 months?
• Are there additional hours (breakfast/after-school clubs) or allowances (SEN/HLTA)?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does TTO mean I’m unpaid during holidays?

You usually don’t work in the holidays, but you still receive paid holiday as part of your paid-weeks figure. Most employers spread that total across 12 equal monthly payments.

Why do similar TTO jobs show different “actual” salaries?

The paid-weeks figure can differ (e.g., 44 vs 46), and so can grade/scale point, hours and allowances — all of which change the total.

Can I take leave during term time?

TTO contracts usually require that leave is taken in school holidays. Term-time leave is restricted and requires approval under policy.

What’s the difference between FTE and actual salary?

FTE is the full-time annual salary for that grade. Actual salary is the FTE adjusted for your hours and paid-weeks.

Is pay ever not spread over 12 months?

Most employers annualise pay over 12 months for TTO roles. If yours is different, it will be stated in your contract.