"Teaching Assistant Pay 2026: The 3.3% Rise"

Home › "Teaching Assistant Pay 2026: The 3.3% Rise"

Teaching assistants in England are getting a 3.3% pay rise for 2026/27. The award covers the year from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, and it was agreed in August 2026 after an earlier offer was turned down. The Department for Education notes the offer on the national support staff terms, and the NJC agreement details confirm the agreement date. Teaching assistants are support staff, and most support staff are paid under the National Joint Council (NJC) pay scale, so the rise follows that scale. It does not depend on whether you teach or support. It depends on your employer and your contract.

The basic facts

The award also applies to pay above the top of the spine, up to deputy chief officer level. Most teaching assistants will not be on those points, but it is worth checking your payslip.

Did staff accept it?

Not at first. The first offer of 3.3% was rejected in June 2026 by GMB, Unison and Unite. A new agreement was reached on 24 August 2026. Some older union updates, such as a NAHT update , still describe ballots for industrial action. Those belong to the earlier stage, so check the most recent position with your union if you are unsure.

Does it apply to my school?

It depends on who employs you:

• Council-run (maintained) schools: pay usually follows the NJC scale directly.
• Academies: these set their own pay. Many follow the national award, but check your contract or ask HR to confirm.
• Agency staff: your agency sets your pay rate and should confirm when the rise is applied.

This article covers England. Scotland has its own support staff pay arrangements, so the figures and dates here may not apply there.

How to work out your new rate

The pay point values for each grade were not in the sources I could verify, so I have not listed cash figures. You can still work out a rough estimate:

1. Find your current hourly rate on your payslip or contract.
2. Multiply it by 1.033.
3. Compare the result with your employer’s new figure.

For example, an hourly rate of £12.00 would rise to about £12.40 at 3.3%. Your employer applies the increase to the official pay point, so the answer can differ slightly from a simple calculation. Your employer’s figure is the one to use.

What is the School Support Staff Negotiating Body?

A new national body for school support staff is being set up. It will negotiate pay and conditions for support staff, and it will also advise on training and career progression. Teaching assistants count as support staff under the government’s definition, so they would be covered.

As of October 2026 the body is not yet set up. Secondary legislation is still needed, and the government expects it to be established in autumn 2026, with more guidance promised for the autumn term. You can follow the government’s own page on the body for updates. Existing arrangements continue for 2026-27. The government says the first improvements to support staff contracts will apply from 2027-28 at the earliest, but it has not said what they will be.

What else changes for school staff?

Several employment changes apply to teaching assistants as employees, not only to the pay rise. Acas sets out the main ones. These are the ones with dates I could verify:

• Statutory sick pay (6 April 2026): SSP is paid from the first day of illness instead of the fourth, and the lower earnings limit has been removed.
• Tribunal time limits (1 October 2026): the time limit for making a claim rises from 3 months to 6 months. The 3-month limit may still apply to problems that began before that date.
• Third-party harassment (30 October 2026): employers become liable for harassment by third parties, such as customers or clients, unless they took all reasonable steps to prevent it. Employers must also take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers.
• Unfair dismissal (1 January 2027): employees can claim unfair dismissal after 6 months in the job, instead of 2 years. The government is also removing the cap on unfair dismissal compensation.
• Dismissal and rehire (1 January 2027): this becomes automatically unfair in most cases.

Most of the October 2026 and January 2027 changes depend on how the government puts them into law, so check the latest guidance before acting on them.

Key points

• Teaching assistants on NJC terms get 3.3% for 2026/27, from 1 April 2026.
• The award was agreed on 24 August 2026.
• Academies set their own pay, so check your contract.
• A new School Support Staff Negotiating Body is expected to be set up in autumn 2026, but it is not yet in place.
• Sick pay from day one and new tribunal time limits already apply.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 3.3% backdated to April? The award period starts on 1 April 2026. Whether back pay appears depends on when your employer applies the new rates, so ask payroll.

Are all teaching assistants covered? Most are, if they are on NJC terms. Academy and agency staff should check their own terms.

Will there be another rise next year? No figure has been agreed for 2027/28. The new negotiating body is expected to take on pay and conditions for support staff, so the next round is likely to go through it.

Does the sick pay change affect me? Yes, if you are employed in England. Since 6 April 2026, statutory sick pay has been payable from the first day of illness.

When can I make an unfair dismissal claim? From 1 January 2027, the qualifying period falls to 6 months for most employees. Check the rules that apply to your situation, since there are exceptions and the detail depends on how the changes are put into law.

What to do next

• Check your next payslip against the 3.3% rise and ask about back pay to April.
• Confirm your pay point and your hours in your contract.
• If you are an academy or agency worker, ask HR or your agency when the rise applies.
• Speak to your union if you have questions about the new negotiating body or the employment changes.
• For specific advice on a dismissal or a sick pay issue, speak to a qualified employment adviser, such as Acas.