Hundreds of workplace representatives from across England gathered in Manchester for the Union’s first national Reps Summit, where they heard that schools are facing a “deepening and dangerous funding crisis” that threatens jobs, increases workload and undermines children’s education.

The Summit brought together reps from primary, secondary and college settings to examine the pressures facing the profession and to strengthen workplace organisation as NASUWT launches its national Fix Our Future; Fund Education campaign.

NASUWT General Secretary Matt Wrack said the turnout demonstrated the commitment of NASUWT’s frontline representatives and the urgency of the challenges facing teachers. “You are the local leaders,” he told members. “Without you, the rest of the union falls apart.”

He set out the NASUWT's analysis of the Government’s acceptance of the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) recommendations for 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29. The pay award — 3.5%, 3% and an indicative 3% respectively is only partially funded, leaving schools to absorb the costs through “efficiencies” and internal cuts.

He highlighted that schools must fund the first 1% of the award themselves and that almost 29% of the total cost must be found by schools. The Government’s claim of “additional funding”, he said, simply reallocates money from within the Department for Education’s existing budget.

The Union estimates a £530 million shortfall for 2026/27, on top of £478 million last year — a combined £1.08 billion gap over two years. Matt Wrack warned that one in four schools cannot meet these costs, with many already implementing restructuring plans, job cuts and redundancies.

“The Government has conceded nothing,” he said. “Anything above their target is supposedly self‑funding — meaning cuts. Schools cannot absorb more cuts. Teachers cannot absorb more cuts. Education cannot absorb more cuts.”

He said one in four schools can "simply not meet the cost of that pay award."

"So those schools will be on the frontline in terms of restructuring, and cuts", he added.

Workload, wellbeing and behaviour pressures intensifying

Matt Wrack linked the funding squeeze directly to the issues of recruitment and reasons for driving teachers out of the profession. Citing STRB evidence, he noted that:

• 84% of teachers cite workload as a reason for leaving

• 75% cite poor wellbeing

• 64% cite inspections

• 44% cite behaviour

• 38% cite lack of flexible working

He warned that years of austerity in youth services, mental health provision and social care are “piling pressure onto schools”, with teachers increasingly forced to fill gaps left by cuts elsewhere.

“Teachers are being asked to do more and more with less and less,” he said. “The consequences of cuts outside education inevitably come into the classroom.”

Maternity and flexible working: ‘Still not good enough’

He welcomed the Government’s move earlier this year to double statutory maternity full pay to eight weeks, but said it “falls far short” of what teachers need in a predominantly female profession facing severe retention problems.

“In a profession losing too many women in their 30s, it is simply not good enough,” he said. “We will build on what has been set out and we will improve on it.”

NASUWT has consistently called for stronger maternity rights, with recent national news coverage emphasising the need for fully‑paid maternity leave to be increased to 26 weeks.

Reps at the heart of union strength

A central theme of the Summit was the vital role of workplace reps in building strong, organised membership. Wrack emphasised that reps are the first point of advice, the first to raise issues, and the backbone of collective organisation.

“Unions are not just an insurance policy,” he said. “They are about improving conditions, protecting members and challenging failings. That starts in the workplace, and that starts with you.”

Delegates heard best‑practice examples from reps across England and received a video message from TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak, who highlighted the importance of strong workplace organisation in a fragmented education landscape.

Fix Our Future; Fund Education

The Summit marked the launch of NASUWT’s national campaign Fix Our Future; Fund Education, calling for:

• fully funded pay awards

• investment in schools and support services

• action on workload and hours

• improved maternity and flexible working rights

• an end to austerity in education