The Government has now published its response to the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) 36th Report and has accepted the recommendations in full.
The STRB has recommended, and the Government has accepted, the following headline pay awards:
- 3.5% from 1 September 2026
- 3% from 1 September 2027
- An indicative 3% increase for 2028/29
The pay award will apply to all teachers’ pay and allowance ranges, with the exception of the minimum of the unqualified teacher pay range, which will increase by 5% from 1 September 2026.
Changes to the STPCD
Alongside the pay award, the revised School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) will include a number of other changes, including:
- Introduction of the new non-consolidated award recognition scheme.
- Simplification of some safeguarding provisions, together with a new FAQ section.
- Clarification around Upper Pay Range (UPR) progression.
- Greater flexibility in the use of INSET days.
- Additional protections for school leaders’ working hours.
Funding and Timescales
The Government has confirmed that the pay award will be partially funded, with schools expected to meet part of the cost through existing budgets and efficiencies, alongside additional funding from the Department for Education.
A 12-week consultation on the revised STPCD is now underway. As a result, the updated STPCD will not be in force by 1 September 2026, although the pay award itself remains effective from that date. Schools should therefore expect the revised document to be published later in the autumn following completion of the consultation process.