Teachers said more school strikes are now unlikely to happen after the government announced they will get an inflation-busting pay hike.
Union leaders praised Chancellor Rachel Reeves who awarded teachers a 5.5 per cent pay boost.
The offer is being funded by an additional £1.2billion from the government.
The National Education Union called it a “welcome step in the right direction.”
Genera Secretary Daniel Kebede said the new pay offer would probably be put to NEU members in a formal ballot in September, but said more school strikes are now unlikely to happen.
Teachers across the UK went on strike last year, including eight days by members of the NEU in England.
Russell Hobby, CEO of Teach First, said: “It is extremely welcome to see the government award teachers this much deserved rise. This will make a significant difference, making the profession a more competitive career choice, while rewarding current teachers who work so tirelessly to unlock the potential in our young people.”
TUC union General secretary Paul Nowak said: "I hope this is the crucial first step in dealing with the recruitment and retention crisis blighting our schools.”
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the average teacher’s pay is six per cent lower in real terms now than it was 14 years ago, and is no higher in value than it was in 2001. In contrast, average earnings are due tobe about 18 per cent higher in 2024 than in 2001.
A report by the independent pay review body said a 5.5per cent pay rise for teachers would represent taxpayer value for money, saying there are now shortages in all but three secondary school subjects.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said the 5.5 per cent pay award will apply from September 1 and is the equivalent to an increase of over £2,500 for the average teacher, which would take the median salary for 2024/25 to over £49,000. The pay award applies to maintained schools, with academies continuing to have freedom over their pay and conditions.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “The Chancellor has laid out a grim picture – our public finances are in a devastating state and tough choices need to be made to help rebuild thefoundations of the economy.
“But while the impact teachers have on children and young people’s life chances can't be measured in pounds and pence, those working in education must be in no doubt about their value.
“Teachers lay the foundations of children’s lives. An investment in them is an investment in the next generation, and this government is determined to make sure every child - whatever their background - has the opportunity to succeed.”
In order to afford the increased spending on public sector pay, the government has announced a number of cuts to afford it. This includes the Advanced British Standard qualification introduced by former primeminister Rishi Sunak.
But college leaders said the announcement does not cover further education staff.
University and College Union general secretary Jo Grady said: “Failing to invest in further education is simply not good enough. There is already a pay gap of £9000 between school and college teachers, and £400 million per year is needed just to keep per pupil spending at its current level over the comingyears. This means our colleges – and the staff who are their backbone – are set to fall even further behind.”
David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “The Chancellor's statement committing to meet the school teacher pay body recommendation is good news for schools. However, it is disappointing that funding was not found to allow colleges to match that award. The result is a no-change position for college finances and pay in the short-term.”
