Teacher Pay Rise September 2025

Teacher Pay Rise in September 2025: What It Means for Schools and Educators

This September, teachers across England will receive a 4% pay increase, following recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) and accepted by the government. Coming after last year’s 5.5% rise, this increase reflects ongoing efforts to recognise teachers’ hard work and help address recruitment and retention challenges in the sector.

What the Pay Rise Means

• Experienced Classroom Teachers: The 4% increase will add roughly £1,900 to the average teacher’s salary, bringing the median annual salary to over £51,000. For many, this is a welcome recognition of their skill and dedication.

• Early Career Teachers (ECTs): Starting salaries will rise to £32,916 outside London and up to £40,317 in Inner London, helping to provide a stronger financial foundation as they navigate the pressures of their first years in the classroom.

• School Leaders: Headteachers and senior staff will also receive proportional increases, acknowledging the responsibilities of managing schools and leading staff effectively.

  
  

Why This Matters

Teachers play a vital role in shaping the next generation, often under significant pressure. While the pay rise is positive, many educators still face high workloads, the rising cost of living, and the unique challenges of teaching in London. The increase is a step toward recognising teachers’ contributions, but it also highlights the ongoing need for broader support in workload management, wellbeing, and sustainable career progression.

Funding and School Impact

The government has committed to covering 75% of the pay rise, leaving schools to fund the remaining 25% through efficiencies or internal budgets. For headteachers, this creates a delicate balance: rewarding staff fairly while managing tight budgets and ensuring resources remain available for pupils.

This partial funding model may require schools to make difficult decisions, from staffing allocations to resource prioritisation, even as they celebrate the pay recognition for their teams.

London Focus: Challenges for Teachers in the Capital

For teachers in London, the pay rise is particularly welcome but does not fully offset the high cost of living. Housing, commuting, and childcare costs in the capital are among the highest in the country, which means even a significant pay increase may feel stretched.

Recruitment and retention pressures are also acute in London, with schools competing for experienced teachers and specialists in SEN and other key areas. This pay rise, while meaningful, must be seen alongside the broader support teachers need — from manageable workloads to career development opportunities — to make teaching in London sustainable and rewarding.

Looking Ahead

The September pay rise signals a continued recognition of teachers’ vital work. However, it also underscores the need for long-term investment in education, particularly in urban areas. Open dialogue between the government, school leaders, and unions will be essential to ensure teachers are supported financially, professionally, and personally.

Bottom line: Teachers are rightly receiving a pay boost this September, but the wider challenges of teaching remain. Supporting educators through sustainable pay, manageable workloads, and investment in school communities will be key to ensuring education remains a rewarding, long-term career — especially in London.