Members of the National Education Union (NEU) have voted to end strike action in England after accepting a 6.5% pay rise for teachers.

The union said 86% of its members who took part in an electronic ballot voted to accept the progress made in the pay dispute and call off industrial action, with a 60% turnout.

It comes after teacher members of the NEU staged eight days of strike action in state schools in England since February in a pay dispute.

Both sides in the dispute said the pay offer was "properly funded" and would not come from existing school budgets.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the offer being accepted was "good news" for teachers, parents and pupils.

Bournemouth Echo: Members of the NEU have gone on strike for eight separate days since February 2023Members of the NEU have gone on strike for eight separate days since February 2023 (Image: James Manning/PA Wire)

Strike action comes to end an end for teachers in England

Four education unions had been considering further walkouts in the autumn term, but their general secretaries recommended members accept the 6.5% pay rise for teachers in England offered earlier this month.

On July 13, the Government agreed to implement the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB)’s recommendation of a 6.5% increase for teachers in England from September this year.

Members of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) in England have already voted to accept the pay rise from September.

Meanwhile, the NASUWT teachers’ union and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) are expected to announce their members’ responses to the pay offer on Monday.

Joint NEU general secretaries Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney said: “As a democratic union, the NEU leadership promised members that any pay and funding offer given by Government that warranted their consideration would be put to them. Members have spoken very clearly and in great numbers.

“The NEU submissions to the STRB went a long way towards changing the Government’s position on pay and funding. The strike action taken by our members also shifted the dial, securing the highest pay award for over thirty years. Members should be proud they have also secured extra funding for schools.”