Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has recommended a 3.5% pay rise for teachers in England from September 2025, with an additional 3% increase proposed for September 2027, following recommendations from the independent School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB). The Department for Education (DfE) also announced £1.8 billion in additional funding to support pay rises for teachers and support staff, but schools will need to fund the first 1% of the increase from their existing budgets.
Executive pay cap and funding details
Alongside the pay offer, the DfE confirmed that the pay of academy trust executives will be capped at £174,000, with government approval required before advertising roles above that salary. This measure aims to ensure that executive pay does not outpace teachers' salaries and that funds are directed toward classrooms. The DfE also stated that an additional £485 million will be provided to colleges and further education providers over the next two years.
Union response and strike threat
The National Education Union (NEU), the largest teaching union in England, had previously warned that the initial proposal of 6.5% over three years was “extremely disappointing” and could worsen teacher shortages. In May, the NEU announced it would hold a formal ballot for strike action in the autumn if the government did not improve its offer. An informal indicative ballot earlier this year showed that 90.5% of NEU teacher members were prepared to take industrial action.
Following the latest offer, an NEU spokesperson said: “We are considering all options.” NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede stated: “A partially funded settlement still means cuts to education. The NEU will never accept that.”
Government position
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defended the offer, saying: “Our brilliant school and college teachers go above and beyond every day, and I’m determined that dedication is not just recognised, but rewarded. This multi-year deal, backed by significant additional investment, shows the immense value we place in our teachers, while giving schools and colleges certainty over pay and their budgets.” She added that tighter controls on executive pay would “help level the playing field for school staff and drive every pound towards classrooms.”
Reactions from school leaders
Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, criticized the process: “The government appears to have rushed into these changes without consulting with school trusts to understand their impact.” David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, called the announcement “very positive” but noted that “college pay still lags a long way behind schools and industry.”
