Pupils and parents face more disruption as thousands of teachers go on strike again today in row over pay just weeks before children sit GCSE and A-level exams
Pupils and parents face more disruption today as thousands of teachers across the country go on strike again.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) are walking out just weeks before children sit are due to sit their GCSE and A-level exams, on the fifth day of national strike action by educators this year.
More than half of England’s 22,000 schools were either closed or partially closed on previous days of industrial action as teachers demand improved pay and working conditions amid the cost of living crisis.
The Government previously offered a £1,000 one-off payment for the current school year and an average 4.3 per cent pay rise for staff next year, but this was rejected and then withdrawn.
Just weeks before children sit are due to sit their GCSE and A-level exams, members of the National Education Union (NEU) in England are walking out
Many secondary schools in England are expected to prioritise Year 11 and Year 13 students during the strikes, as dates for GCSE and A-level exams draw closer.
The NEU issued guidance saying it will support arrangements during the strikes that ‘provide the minimum level of teaching staff needed’ so GCSE and A-level students can attend school for revision activities or exam practice.
School closures are expected to vary across England, some counties have provided lists of school closures, whilst others advise parents to check with individual schools.
Unions are seeking above-inflation increases, plus extra money to ensure any pay rises do not come from schools’ existing budgets.
Four education unions, the NEU, the NASUWT teaching union, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), rejected the LAST pay offer.
Last year, classroom teachers were paid an average of £38,982 in the 2021-22 school year in England, £39,009 in Wales and £40,026 in Scotland.
The average head teacher salary in England for the same period was £74,095, and £57,117 for other senior leaders.
Many secondary schools in England are expected to prioritise Year 11 and Year 13 students during the strikes, as dates for GCSE and A-level exams draw closer
The majority of state school teachers in England had a five per cent rise last year.
However after taking inflation into account, teachers’ salaries in England fell by an average of 11 per cent between 2010 and 2022, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says.
Ahead of the strikes last week, a Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘Any strike action is hugely damaging. We have made a fair and reasonable pay offer to teachers recognising their hard work and commitment.
‘Thanks to the further £2 billion pounds we are investing in our schools, next year, school funding will be at its highest level in history.’
The NEU is considering three further days of strike action in the summer term in England.