The 24-hour walkout, organised by the two biggest teaching unions, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the NASUWT, will affect schools in 49 authorities in the east of England, Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber.
The Government said the strike action would disrupt pupils' learning, inconvenience parents and damage the reputation of teachers.
NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said the strike was a "last resort".
"Teachers have been left with no choice but to demonstrate their anger and frustration in the face of their genuine concerns being dismissed and trivialised," he said.
The unions said they are protesting against a two-year pay freeze, proposals to make teachers work until they are aged 68, increases in pensions contributions and heavy workloads due to inspections and bureaucracy.
No choice
The strike comes as education secretary Michael Gove is due to address the Tory party conference today amid criticism of his reforms by leading academics and union members.
NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "No teacher takes strike action lightly but the intransigence of this education sectary has left teachers with no choice.
"We cannot stand by and watch our profession be systematically attacked and undermined.
"There needs to be a change in the Government's attitude to teachers and education."
A Department for Education spokesman said: "It is disappointing that the NUT and NASUWT are striking over the Government's measures to allow heads to pay good teachers more."
The NUT said further walkouts are expected in the North East, London, the South East and the South West on October 17.
There are no strike dates for Wales because the Welsh Government has tried to engage with teachers about their complaints, the NUT and NASUWT added.