Teacher Pay Set to Rise Under New Two-Year Deal

Teachers across England are set to receive a multi-year pay increase after the Government accepted in full the latest recommendations from the independent School Teachers' Review Body (STRB).

The agreement is designed to provide schools with greater certainty over future budgets while supporting teacher recruitment and retention at a time when the profession continues to face significant workforce challenges.

What Does the New Pay Deal Include?

Under the new settlement, teachers and school leaders in maintained schools will receive:

• A 3.5% pay increase from September 2026
• A further 3% increase from September 2027

Combined with previous awards, the Government says teacher salaries will have increased by around 17% over four years, with the average classroom teacher expected to earn more than £52,800 from September 2026, rising to over £54,400 the following year.

Bringing Greater Financial Certainty

Unlike previous annual settlements, the Education Secretary asked the STRB to make recommendations covering two years, providing schools with greater clarity when planning staffing and budgets.

The Government has committed an additional £1.8 billion in school funding across the next two academic years to help support the pay award, including £700 million for 2026-27 and £1.1 billion for 2027-28.

Schools will still be expected to achieve some efficiency savings, with approximately the first one per cent of the award expected to be met through improved value for money and smarter budget management.

Alongside salary increases, the Government continues to invest in recruitment incentives, professional development and initiatives designed to improve teacher wellbeing and retention. Recent figures also indicate improvements in teacher recruitment, particularly across STEM subjects, while fewer teachers are leaving the profession compared with previous years.

Further changes are planned to teachers' working conditions. Proposals include greater flexibility over how schools schedule INSET training days, the introduction of modest recognition payments in maintained schools, and stronger protections around school leaders' working hours, including preserving weekends and public holidays as non-working time wherever possible.

The multi-year agreement represents one of the most significant commitments to teacher pay in recent years and aims to provide greater stability for both schools and staff. While salary is only one element of attracting and retaining excellent teachers, the package reflects a broader focus on making teaching a more sustainable and rewarding profession, ensuring schools continue to recruit the skilled educators needed to support future generations.