Decoding the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Order 2025

In a move to update the pay and conditions framework for England's school teachers, the UK Government has introduced the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Order 2025. This order is an essential part of ensuring that educators in local authority-maintained schools are fairly compensated and work under equitable conditions. Let's break down what this means for teachers and how it impacts the education sector.

What’s New?

The 2025 Order implements changes effective from September 1, 2025, focusing on pay adjustments and employment conditions for school teachers. Specifically, it introduces a 4% salary increase across the board, impacting classroom teachers, unqualified teachers, and school leaders alike. It also revises the way certain additional payments, known as Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments, are calculated. The goal is to base these payments more on the duties performed rather than the hours worked, promoting fairness and flexibility.

Why the Changes?

This update is part of an annual process to align teachers' pay with current economic conditions and educational priorities. The adjustments respond to recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB), which evaluates teacher pay and conditions to ensure they remain competitive and fair. This year, the focus was on promoting flexible working and supporting diversity within the teaching workforce.

Consultation and Feedback

The government conducted a seven-week consultation with key stakeholders, including teacher unions and school leaders, to refine the proposed changes. The feedback was largely positive, with stakeholders welcoming the pay increase and new guidance on flexible working arrangements. However, concerns were raised about funding adequacy, with calls for the pay increase to be fully financed by the government to avoid putting additional pressure on school budgets.

Impact and Implementation

While the order directly affects teachers in maintained schools, academies and free schools are encouraged to align with these standards. The changes aim to improve teacher retention and recruitment by making the profession more attractive through better pay and working conditions.

Overall, the 2025 Order marks a step forward in addressing teacher pay and conditions, aligning them more closely with contemporary educational needs and economic realities. By enhancing compensation and flexibility, the government hopes to foster a more motivated and diverse teaching workforce, ultimately benefiting the quality of education across England.