Teacher Pay Rise 2026-27: What Is the Confirmed Teacher Pay Rise for 2026-27?
• April 20, 2026
The Teacher Pay Rise 2026-27 has been confirmed for school teachers and leaders in England. Teachers will receive a 3.5% teacher pay rise from September 2026, followed by a further 3% teacher pay rise from September 2027.
The Department for Education says the award follows the Government’s decision to accept the School Teachers’ Review Body recommendations in full.
This means the latest teacher pay award 2026 is part of a multi-year settlement for English schools. The Government has also announced £1.8 billion in additional school funding over two years, while schools are expected to find the first 1% of each pay award through value-for-money measures.
The confirmed figures apply to teachers and leaders in England, with different salary scales for England excluding London, the Fringe area, Outer London and Inner London.
Teachers comparing this award with other public-sector settlements may also find the wider UK pay rise and salary tracker 2026 useful for context.
Last updated: 9 July 2026
Key Takeaways:
- The Teacher Pay Rise 2026-27 confirms a two-year increase for teachers and school leaders in England.
- The first increase is 3.5% from September 2026, and the second is 3% from September 2027. The Government describes this as a 6.5% increase over two years.
- The confirmed English school scales include classroom teacher pay, unqualified teacher pay, leadership ranges, headteacher bands, Leading Practitioner pay, TLR payments and SEN allowances.
- The pay award currently applies to maintained schools, although most academies also choose to follow statutory pay arrangements in practice. The Department for Education says planned reforms are expected to require academies to have regard to the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document by September 2027.
- Teachers should check their pay point, school pay policy, pay area and payslip once implementation takes place. Gross salary increases may not produce the same percentage increase in take-home pay because deductions such as tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and student loan repayments can apply.
What Does the Teacher Pay Rise Mean for English Schools?
The confirmed teacher pay rise gives schools, teachers and leaders a clearer pay picture for the next two academic years. Instead of waiting for a single annual decision, schools now have confirmed pay awards for September 2026 and September 2027.
For teachers, the award increases the minimum and maximum values across the main pay range, upper pay range, unqualified teacher range, leadership range, Leading Practitioner range and classroom teacher allowances.
For school leaders and governors, the key issue is not only the pay uplift itself but how it fits into staffing budgets, recruitment plans and retention strategies.
The teacher pay award also sits alongside other major public-sector salary decisions, including the latest NHS nurses pay rise and civil service pay rise 2026.
Together, these updates show how government-backed pay settlements are shaping workforce planning, recruitment and retention across essential services.
The Department for Education says the STRB is the independent body that makes recommendations on the pay of teachers and leaders in maintained schools in England. The Government then considers those recommendations before deciding the pay award.
Confirmed English School Teacher Pay Scales from September 2026
The confirmed English school scales from September 2026 show the 3.5% uplift applied to classroom teacher pay ranges and advisory points. These figures cover the Main Pay Range and Upper Pay Range across England excluding London, Fringe, Outer London and Inner London.
| Spine point | England excluding London | Fringe area | Outer London | Inner London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | £34,069 | £35,602 | £39,196 | £41,729 |
| M2 | £36,042 | £37,647 | £41,246 | £43,713 |
| M3 | £38,400 | £39,979 | £43,403 | £45,787 |
| M4 | £40,941 | £42,513 | £45,673 | £47,961 |
| M5 | £43,529 | £45,070 | £48,438 | £50,666 |
| M6 | £46,940 | £48,479 | £52,241 | £54,131 |
| U1 | £49,134 | £50,625 | £54,047 | £59,650 |
| U2 | £50,956 | £52,442 | £56,047 | £62,581 |
| U3 | £52,835 | £54,328 | £58,120 | £64,684 |
M1 is usually the starting advisory point for qualified classroom teachers on the Main Pay Range, while M6 is the top advisory point of that range.
U1 to U3 refer to the Upper Pay Range, usually used for more experienced teachers who have moved beyond the main range under their school’s pay policy.
Confirmed Teacher Pay Scales from September 2027
From September 2027, classroom teacher pay scales increase by a further 3%. These figures represent the next stage of the multi-year teacher pay deal and are separate from the 2026 salary values.
| Spine point | England excluding London | Fringe area | Outer London | Inner London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | £35,092 | £36,671 | £40,372 | £42,981 |
| M2 | £37,124 | £38,777 | £42,484 | £45,025 |
| M3 | £39,552 | £41,179 | £44,706 | £47,161 |
| M4 | £42,170 | £43,789 | £47,044 | £49,400 |
| M5 | £44,835 | £46,423 | £49,892 | £52,186 |
| M6 | £48,349 | £49,934 | £53,809 | £55,755 |
| U1 | £50,609 | £52,144 | £55,669 | £61,440 |
| U2 | £52,485 | £54,016 | £57,729 | £64,459 |
| U3 | £54,421 | £55,958 | £59,864 | £66,625 |
Although teacher salaries are set through a separate pay review process, the wider labour market is also being affected by the UK minimum wage increase 2026 and the expected UK National Living Wage 2026.
These changes add pressure on school budgets because staffing, contracted services and supplier costs can all move with broader wage growth.
London Teacher Pay Scales: Inner London, Outer London and Fringe Areas
London teacher pay scales are higher because teachers in and around London face different labour market and cost pressures. The confirmed teacher pay scales England figures therefore split salary values into four areas: England excluding London, Fringe, Outer London and Inner London.
The difference is most visible at the start of the Main Pay Range. From September 2026, M1 is £34,069 outside London, £39,196 in Outer London and £41,729 in Inner London. From September 2027, M1 rises to £35,092 outside London, £40,372 in Outer London and £42,981 in Inner London.
| Example pay point | 2026 outside London | 2026 Inner London | 2027 outside London | 2027 Inner London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | £34,069 | £41,729 | £35,092 | £42,981 |
| M6 | £46,940 | £54,131 | £48,349 | £55,755 |
| U3 | £52,835 | £64,684 | £54,421 | £66,625 |
London teacher pay scales remain higher because living and working costs in the capital are materially different from many other parts of England.
That same cost-pressure theme appears in the London Living Wage yearly salary calculation and in high-profile London pay comparisons such as the TfL tube driver salary.
Unqualified Teacher Pay Rise 2026-27
Unqualified teachers are also included in the confirmed pay recommendations. In 2026, the minimum of the unqualified teacher range outside London receives a 5% increase, while the other listed unqualified teacher pay points receive 3.5%.
Unqualified teacher pay scales from September 2026
| Spine point | England excluding London | Fringe area | Outer London | Inner London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £23,732 | £24,909 | £27,727 | £29,336 |
| 2 | £26,075 | £27,589 | £30,412 | £32,018 |
| 3 | £28,758 | £30,272 | £33,094 | £34,702 |
| 4 | £31,124 | £32,636 | £35,465 | £37,068 |
| 5 | £33,811 | £35,321 | £38,146 | £39,747 |
| 6 | £36,494 | £38,004 | £40,831 | £42,429 |
Unqualified teacher pay scales from September 2027
| Spine point | England excluding London | Fringe area | Outer London | Inner London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £24,444 | £25,657 | £28,559 | £30,217 |
| 2 | £26,858 | £28,417 | £31,325 | £32,979 |
| 3 | £29,621 | £31,181 | £34,087 | £35,744 |
| 4 | £32,058 | £33,616 | £36,529 | £38,181 |
| 5 | £34,826 | £36,381 | £39,291 | £40,940 |
| 6 | £37,589 | £39,145 | £42,056 | £43,702 |
These figures matter for schools using unqualified teacher roles as part of workforce planning. They also help trainees, career changers and support staff understand how the unqualified range sits below the qualified classroom teacher scale.
Leadership, Headteacher and Leading Practitioner Pay Scales
The Teacher Pay Rise 2026-27 also applies to school leaders. From September 2026, the leadership group pay range starts at £53,586 outside London and rises to £158,863 in Inner London.
From September 2027, the leadership range starts at £55,194 outside London and rises to £163,629 in Inner London.
| Leadership range | 2026 outside London | 2026 Inner London | 2027 outside London | 2027 Inner London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | £53,586 | £63,709 | £55,194 | £65,621 |
| Maximum | £148,829 | £158,863 | £153,294 | £163,629 |
Headteacher pay is arranged by school group and pay area. For example, from September 2026, Group 1 headteacher pay outside London is £60,619 to £80,652, while Group 8 outside London is £104,059 to £148,829.
From September 2027, Group 1 outside London rises to £62,438 to £83,072, and Group 8 outside London rises to £107,181 to £153,294.
Leading Practitioner pay also increases. From September 2026, the range is £53,847 to £81,861 outside London and £64,024 to £92,043 in Inner London.
From September 2027, it rises to £55,463 to £84,317 outside London and £65,945 to £94,805 in Inner London.
TLR and SEN Allowances: Will They Increase Too?
Teaching and Learning Responsibility payments and Special Educational Needs allowances are included in the confirmed salary and allowance recommendations.
From September 2026, TLR payment 3 ranges from £727 to £3,600, TLR payment 2 ranges from £3,651 to £8,913, and TLR payment 1 ranges from £10,531 to £17,819. The SEN allowance ranges from £2,885 to £5,690.
From September 2027, TLR payment 3 ranges from £749 to £3,708, TLR payment 2 ranges from £3,761 to £9,181, and TLR payment 1 ranges from £10,847 to £18,354. The SEN allowance ranges from £2,972 to £5,861.
| Allowance | 2026 minimum | 2026 maximum | 2027 minimum | 2027 maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLR 3 | £727 | £3,600 | £749 | £3,708 |
| TLR 2 | £3,651 | £8,913 | £3,761 | £9,181 |
| TLR 1 | £10,531 | £17,819 | £10,847 | £18,354 |
| SEN allowance | £2,885 | £5,690 | £2,972 | £5,861 |
Funding: How Will the Teacher Pay Rise Be Paid For?
The Department for Education has announced additional funding of £1.8 billion over two years for schools. The Education Hub states this is made up of £700 million in 2026-27 and £1.1 billion in 2027-28.
However, schools are still expected to find approximately the first 1% of pay awards in both 2026-27 and 2027-28 through efforts to maximise value from their budgets. This makes the funding position important for headteachers, governors, finance directors and academy trusts.
School leaders are not only budgeting against public-sector pay policy. Private-sector employers are also raising wages, with updates such as the Aldi pay rise 2026 and Sainsbury’s pay rise adding to the wider competition for workers in local labour markets.
Does the Teacher Pay Rise Apply to Academies?
The Department for Education says the pay award applies to maintained schools currently, but most academies also choose to follow statutory pay arrangements in practice.
This means many academy teachers may still see the same pay movement, depending on their trust’s pay policy and employment terms.
The Education Hub also states that, through planned reforms, the Government expects academies to have regard to the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document by September 2027. That means academy trusts should review their pay policies carefully and communicate clearly with staff.
The confirmed English school scales should not be treated as a UK-wide teacher pay settlement. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland follow separate arrangements, and industrial relations can develop differently across each system.
Recent coverage of the Scottish teacher strike shows why England-only pay announcements need to be separated from devolved education disputes.
Academy Trust Executive Pay Curbs
The teacher pay announcement also includes new controls on academy trust executive pay. From September, trusts will need government approval before advertising roles over £174,000.
The Government says annual increases for executives will also be brought in line with the wider school workforce so executive pay rises do not exceed those set for classroom teachers.
This policy is designed to address concerns about high executive salaries in taxpayer-funded education bodies. It also links the classroom teacher pay award to wider questions about fairness, public spending and school resource allocation.
The academy executive pay controls also come at a time when public-sector pay remains politically sensitive.
Ongoing coverage of UK strike and the doctors strike reflects the wider pressure on government, employers and unions over pay, staffing and public-service funding.
Further Education and Support Staff: Are They Included?
The confirmed teacher pay award is for school teachers and leaders.
The Department for Education has separately announced £485 million in additional funding for colleges and further education providers over two years, but the DfE does not directly set further education pay in the same way.
School support staff are not directly covered by the teacher pay award. The Education Hub says the award applies only to school teachers, although the additional funding schools receive also takes into account the current pay offer for support staff, which was under negotiation at the time of publication.
For teachers considering their long-term options, the salary tables are only one part of the decision.
Career progression, workload, pensions, leadership opportunities and job security also matter, especially when some workers are comparing teaching with high-paying jobs in the UK or reviewing wider employee rights in the UK.
Teacher Pay Rise 2026-27
| Area | Confirmed detail |
|---|---|
| 2026 teacher pay rise | 3.5% from September 2026 |
| 2027 teacher pay rise | 3% from September 2027 |
| Total two-year award | Described by Government as 6.5% over two years |
| Applies to | School teachers and leaders in England |
| Maintained schools | Directly covered by statutory arrangements |
| Academies | Most follow statutory arrangements in practice |
| School funding | £1.8 billion over two years |
| FE funding | £485 million over two years |
| Executive pay | Approval needed before academy trusts advertise roles over £174,000 |
The table summarises the main confirmed points from the Government announcement and Department for Education explainer.
What Should Teachers and Schools Do Next?
Teachers should check their current pay point, whether they are on the Main Pay Range, Upper Pay Range, unqualified teacher range or leadership range, and which pay area applies to them. London, Fringe and England excluding London values differ, so location is essential.
Teachers should also review their school’s pay policy, contract, progression rules and payslip once the award is implemented. A 3.5% or 3% gross salary rise does not automatically mean the same percentage increase in net monthly pay.
School leaders should review staffing budgets, pay policies, allowance commitments, recruitment plans and communication with staff.
Academy trusts should also check how their own pay policies align with the confirmed teacher pay scales and the expected direction of national pay and conditions reform.
The LGA notes that consultation on the draft School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document 2026 means the final STPCD for 2026 will not be in force by 1 September, with further timing expected after the Department for Education considers consultation responses.
Conclusion
The Teacher Pay Rise 2026-27 confirms a major two-year salary update for teachers and school leaders in England.
The confirmed English school scales show a 3.5% increase from September 2026 and a further 3% increase from September 2027, covering classroom teachers, unqualified teachers, leaders, headteachers, Leading Practitioners, TLR payments and SEN allowances.
For teachers, the most important next step is to check the relevant pay point and pay area. For schools, the focus will be implementation, budget planning and staff communication.
While the pay rise gives greater certainty, the funding and academy policy details mean schools will still need to manage the award carefully.
FAQs
When will teachers receive the 2026 pay rise?
Teachers in England are due to receive the 2026 pay rise from September 2026. The confirmed award is 3.5%, following the Government’s acceptance of the School Teachers’ Review Body recommendations.
How much is the teacher pay rise in England for 2026-27?
The confirmed teacher pay rise is 3.5% from September 2026, followed by a further 3% from September 2027. The Government describes this as a 6.5% increase over two years.
What are the confirmed English school scales for September 2026?
The confirmed English school scales for September 2026 include M1 to M6 and U1 to U3 classroom teacher advisory pay points. For example, M1 is £34,069 outside London and £41,729 in Inner London.
What are the teacher pay scales from September 2027?
From September 2027, classroom teacher pay increases by 3%. M1 rises to £35,092 outside London and £42,981 in Inner London, while U3 rises to £54,421 outside London and £66,625 in Inner London.
Does the teacher pay rise apply to academies?
The pay award currently applies to maintained schools, but most academies also choose to follow statutory pay arrangements in practice. The Department for Education says academies are expected to have regard to the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document by September 2027 under planned reforms.
Are unqualified teachers included in the teacher pay rise?
Yes. Unqualified teacher pay ranges are included in the confirmed recommendations. In 2026, the minimum of the unqualified teacher range outside London receives a 5% uplift, while other listed points increase by 3.5%.
Will TLR and SEN allowances increase?
Yes. TLR and SEN allowance ranges increase in both 2026 and 2027. For example, the SEN allowance rises to £2,885-£5,690 in 2026 and £2,972-£5,861 in 2027.
Editorial Note
This article is based on official UK Government, Department for Education and School Teachers’ Review Body information available at the time of writing. It focuses on confirmed teacher pay arrangements for school teachers and leaders in England for 2026-27 and 2027-28.
Teacher pay can vary depending on school type, pay point, location, contract terms, allowances and local pay policy. Maintained schools and academy trusts may also follow different implementation processes.
Teachers should check their school’s pay policy, employment contract and official Department for Education guidance before making financial or career decisions.
Last reviewed: 9 July 2026
Source Links
- GOV.UK — Teachers to benefit from multi-year pay deal
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/teachers-to-benefit-from-multi-year-pay-deal - Department for Education Education Hub — Teacher pay: everything you need to know about the latest multi-year pay award
https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/teacher-pay-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-latest-multi-year-pay-award/ - School Teachers’ Review Body — Thirty-Sixth Report 2026
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a451ff7045e1108aaa5e8e9/STRB_36th_Report_2026.pdf - Local Government Association — School teachers’ pay 2026/27 and 2027/28
https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/workforce-and-hr-support/education-and-young-people/school-teachers/school-teachers-38 - GOV.UK — School teachers’ pay and conditions
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-teachers-pay-and-conditions
