Update on School Teacher Pay and Conditions Document 2026 and HR Connect Pay Policy
With the start of the new academic year we are aware that many schools are thinking about teachers annual pay review arrangements and may be awaiting publication of our updated Pay Policy for 2026.
The latest government timetable (shown below) indicates that it will be November when the 2026 STPCD becomes legislation. Until this happens HR Connect cannot finalise the Pay Policy. :
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23rd September 2026: Government consultation on the draft STPCD closes
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16th October 2026: Agreed changes incorporated and the Teachers' Pay Order laid before Parliament
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6th November 2026: End of the 21-day parliamentary praying period during which objections can be raised
We are currently preparing a draft version of our 2026 Pay Policy based on the information available and the proposals contained within the draft STPCD. Once the parliamentary process has concluded and the final STPCD is published, we will:
- Review and incorporate any final amendments.
- Undertake consultation with the recognised trade unions.
- Finalise the model Pay Policy for issue to schools.
Based on the current timetable, we anticipate issuing the updated HR Connect Pay Policy towards the end of November 2026.
Once the pay policy is issued, schools will need to:
- Consider and formally adopt the policy through their full governing body.
- Complete any local consultation arrangements required.
- Implement any pay decisions in accordance with the adopted policy.
Although the revised pay arrangements relate to 1st September 2026, schools will be able to make any necessary pay adjustments retrospectively once the policy has been adopted. Any eligible pay awards will therefore need to be backdated to 1st September 2026.
We recognise that schools are eager to progress pay review arrangements and we will continue to monitor developments closely providing further updates as soon as the final STPCD is published and confirmed by the government.
