Teachers in England could strike after schools told they must fund pay rises

England’s largest education union is “considering all options”, including a formal vote on industrial action, after the government announced schools will have to part-fund teacher pay rises.

The National Education Union (YDB) is reacting to the Department for Education’s (DfE) decision that schools must match the top 1% of each pay award, despite accepting proposals for increases.

Teachers are set to receive a 3.5% pay rise from September, followed by a 3% pay rise from September 2027, according to recommendations from the School Teachers Review Board (STRB).

However, the DfE’s requirement that schools cover some of these costs has sparked controversy.

Unions have consistently called for any pay rise to be fully funded by the government.

The request follows on from the DfE’s own evidence submitted to the STRB last October, which recommended a 6.5% fee increase spread over the academic years 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29.

The NEU had previously warned earlier this year that it would launch a formal strike vote in October unless a fully-funded, above-inflation wage proposal was made.

On Wednesday, following the Government’s teacher pay announcement, a Near East University spokesperson told the Press Association: “We are considering all options.”

Additional funding of £1.8 billion will be provided to schools over two years to support pay rises for teachers and support staff, with additional funding of £485 million to colleges and further education providers over the same time frame.

The DfE also announced that academy trust directors’ pay will be capped at £174,000 from September.

Trusts will need to seek government approval before advertising roles above this salary.

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said in a statement: “A partially funded solution still means cuts to education and the NEU will never accept that.

“Schools are being asked to find £460 million from budgets already at breaking point.

“This is the equivalent of 8,300 school staff: 3,900 teachers and 4,400 support staff. Ministers cannot claim they want more teachers next year when there is such a significant reduction in numbers.

“In Andy Burnham’s constituency of Makerfield, this means 40 schools are being forced to find a collective £866,842 from their own budgets just to cover the Government’s need to fund part of this wage award.”

He also referred to Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement on Tuesday that £15 billion will be spent over the next four years to support the Defense Investment Plan.

“At a time when defense spending is rising, the Government must answer a simple moral question: Why is there always money for conflicts but not enough for childhood?” asked Mr. Kebede.

School leaders’ union NAHT said it would be helpful if the Government provided some additional funding to support schools.

General Secretary Paul Whiteman continued: “But we must make clear that this is not a fully funded award and will mean further pressure on already stretched budgets.”

“There is little headroom in current budgets and talking about ‘maximizing value’ is extremely unhelpful.”

The Association of School and College Leaders said it would be “very difficult” for many schools to find the money.

“Results at the individual school and university level will vary, and it will be very difficult for many schools to find the necessary money from their existing budgets,” said General Secretary Pepe Di’Iasio.

Unions welcomed the fact that pay awards were above UK inflation, which was recorded at 2.8% in May.

Education Minister Bridget Philipson said: “Our wonderful school and college teachers go above and beyond every day and I am determined that dedication will not only be recognized but rewarded.

“This multi-year agreement, backed by significant additional investment, demonstrates the great value we place on our teachers and gives schools and colleges certainty over their pay and budgets.

“It is also right that classroom teachers do not see executive pay rising faster than theirs or being set at excessive levels in the first place, so tighter controls will mean unfair executive pay is a thing of the past, helping to level the playing field for school staff and getting every pound into classrooms.”