This week I report on the publication of the independent review on antisemitism in schools, as well as the release of the school teachers’ pay and conditions document for 2026/27 and information on the STRB’s remit for this year which is on matters relating to teachers’ and leaders’ working conditions.
Independent review on antisemitism published
A government commissioned independent review has found that antisemitism in schools is a significant and growing challenge, with Jewish pupils and staff regularly facing antisemitic abuse.
The review made 27 recommendations which the government has accepted in full. It will now begin a period of implementation, including strengthening guidance documents like Keeping Children Safe in Education and introducing dedicated antisemitism training for leaders and safeguarding staff.
Schools are encouraged to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism immediately, so antisemitism can be clearly understood, recognised and challenged.
STPCD 2026 and STRB’s remit for this year
The DfE has released the latest school teachers’ pay and conditions document, setting out teacher and leader pay scales for 2026/27, to be backdated to 1 September. The scales reflect the 3.5% pay increase awarded by the government earlier this year. Other changes include increased flexibility on the use of INSET (training) days, strengthened expectations around leader work-life balance and clarity on dealing with salary safeguarding situations.
As the STRB has now provided its recommendations for teachers pay for 2026/27 and 2027/28, this year’s remit will focus on matters relating to teachers’ and leaders’ working conditions. To that effect the Education Secretary has asked the STRB to make recommendations for changing rules that currently require full-time teachers to be available for work on 195 days a year, to give leaders more freedom to offer different working arrangements. The change would not increase the existing limit of 1,265 directed hours or allow schools to require teachers to work more than 195 days and would also not affect the time pupils spend in school. The STRB has been asked to make recommendations by April 2027, with changes taking effect in September of next year.
