School teachers and leaders are set to receive a 5.5% pay raise for the financial year 2024-25, reflecting the significant role they play in shaping children’s futures. The increase aligns with the full recommendations of the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) and will be supported by nearly £1.2 billion in additional funding for schools.
The funding boost aims to fully cover the cost of the pay rise for teachers and support staff across the country. This move represents a crucial step towards the government’s goal of recruiting an additional 6,500 teachers. However, the broader financial challenges facing the public sector mean that other programmes, including the Advanced British Standard, will be cancelled.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the difficult economic climate outlined by the Chancellor but emphasised the importance of investing in education. “The Chancellor has laid out a grim picture – our public finances are in a devastating state and tough choices need to be made to help rebuild the foundations of the economy,” she said. “But while the impact teachers have on children and young people’s life chances can’t be measured in pounds and pence, those working in education must be in no doubt about their value.”
The 5.5% pay rise, effective from 1 September, will result in an average increase of over £2,500 per teacher, pushing the median salary for 2024-25 to more than £49,000. This adjustment applies to teachers in maintained schools, though academies will retain their discretion overpay and conditions.
In addition to the pay rise, the government has announced measures to ease teachers’ workloads and improve the attractiveness of the teaching profession. The requirement for schools to use the performance-related pay (PRP) system, which has been criticised for its bureaucratic processes, will be removed from September. This change aims to simplify the pay rise process and reduce administrative burdens on schools.
The government will also clarify that teachers can use their planning time at home, enhancing flexible working options. These initiatives are part of a broader effort by the Education Secretary to rebuild relationships with education professionals, including recent engagements with stakeholders and frontline staff.
The new pay award and funding injection underscore the government’s commitment to supporting educators despite broader financial constraints. As the education sector navigates these changes, the emphasis on valuing and investing in teaching is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of education in the UK.
For more details on the pay award and funding, visit the official UK Government website.