At a Crossroads: Why April Matters for Teachers and Schools

The coming weeks are shaping up to be pivotal for the schools sector. A combination of fiscal decisions, funding uncertainties, and industrial relations developments are converging in a way that will undoubtedly influence the landscape for schools, teachers and leaders for months and years to come. For those working in the classroom or managing schools, this is a moment to remain informed and aware of the decisions being made, many of which are still evolving at a rapid pace.

An Uncertain Economic Backdrop

On Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her Spring Statement against a challenging economic backdrop. Persistent fiscal pressures and the government’s commitment to staying within its self-imposed spending rules point towards cuts across several departments. While schools funding has previously been protected, the Department for Education’s broader budget is not ring-fenced and there is no guarantee that the schools budget will be protected this time around. The impact of any spending restraint could have ripple effects on teacher training, support programmes, and capital investment.

Already, speculation is mounting about what the next spending decisions could mean for education. Given the scale of national debt and slowing economic growth, schools may face a more constrained financial environment moving into the next academic year.

Difficult Choices for the DfE

Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, has already signalled that difficult decisions are coming. Reports suggest that programmes such as extended free school meals provision, free period products for schools and other initiatives may face reductions or complete withdrawal. Some cuts have already been confirmed, including to the Advanced Maths Premium, which has been described as short-sighted by sector leaders. While full details of the DfE’s cuts may not emerge until June, early indications point towards sustained financial pressures.

For schools, this uncertainty adds to planning difficulties. Many headteachers are already facing challenging budgetary decisions, and further cuts to DfE-funded programmes could amplify these concerns. Our casework at Edapt has shown a sharp spike in the number of schools and MATs engaging in redundancy and restructuring activities since the beginning of 2025 and we are supporting more school staff than ever through these processes.

Teacher Pay

The next major development will come from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB), which is expected to report in April. The government has recommended a 2.8% pay rise for teachers in England — but this comes at a time when the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) has indicated that a minimum 3% increase is needed simply to avoid worsening recruitment and retention issues.

The DfE has already acknowledged that schools will not receive additional funding to cover even the proposed 2.8% rise. In fact, departmental analysis suggests schools can only afford around half of that recommendation. This creates a potential flashpoint: if the STRB recommends a figure higher than the government’s proposal, as many anticipate, the DfE will either need to find funding in an increasingly tight environment or face the difficult decision of rejecting the STRB’s conclusions.

Rejecting the independent pay review body’s findings would be unprecedented and would risk significant tensions with teacher trade unions, many of whom are already signalling their discontent.

Union Conferences and Potential Strike Action

The political temperature will rise further in April as the two largest teacher unions hold their annual conferences. The National Education Union (NEU) will meet on 14th April, with the NASUWT conference following on the 18th.

At the NEU conference, the results of an indicative ballot will be announced, asking members whether they accept the government’s unfunded 2.8% pay recommendation and whether they would be willing to take strike action to secure a higher, fully funded pay award. Early indications suggest a reasonable likelihood that members will reject the current offer and support a move towards industrial action. It will be interesting to note the level of engagement in this ballot to see the level of feeling within the membership.

The NASUWT conference will also be significant, not just for its stance on pay and funding but also due to the leadership contest to replace outgoing General Secretary Patrick Roach. The endorsement of Matt Wrack, a figure from outside the teaching profession, has sparked debate within the union. A contested election (the first for 30 years) could further influence the union’s positioning and approach at a critical moment. It remains to be seen whether history teacher and NASUWT Leicestershire Branch Secretary Luke Akhurst can secure enough nominations from other branches to take the contest to a vote at their conference.  

What to Watch For

Teachers and school leaders will want to keep a close eye on the following developments:

• The Chancellor’s Spring Statement (27th March) and its implications for public spending
• Early announcements from the DfE regarding spending decisions and programme cuts
• The STRB report and the government’s response
• Outcomes from the NEU and NASUWT annual conferences, particularly around industrial action and union leadership

The coming month could shape teacher pay, school funding and industrial relations for the year ahead. With so many variables, opinions and emotions at play, at Edapt, we will continue to provide clear, impartial updates to help our members and the sector navigate these complex developments through some deep dives into the issues. If you do have any questions, get in touch with our team who will be more than happy to help.