INDUSTRIAL action is set to bring the nation's education system to a standstill today as more than 23,000 schools are hit with strikes.
From today (Feb 1) teachers across England and Wales will stage the largest walkout seen in Britain for over a decade, as they protest wages and working conditions.
Tomorrow marks the first of seven National Education Union (NEU) strikes, which will take place throughout February and March.
The government has advised schools to try their best to stay open, but many will likely be forced to close due to a lack of staff.
This comes as part of a wider strike across the country dubbed "walkout Wednesday" which could see over 500,000 workers across the UK down tools in protest.
Read our school closures blog below for the latest…
- Henry Moore
Union boss pins blame on government for school strike chaos
Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said on Monday afternoon ministers had not engaged with teachers’ unions ahead of strikes.
She said: “Gillian Keegan has squandered an opportunity to avoid strike action on Wednesday.
“The Government has been unwilling to seriously engage with the causes of strike action.
“This is having consequences for learning, with disruption every day to children’s education. We can do better as a nation, for education, for our children, if we invest more.
“That is in the gift of this government. It should start with a fully-funded, above inflation pay rise for teachers.”
Read more here.
- Henry Moore
When are teachers striking?
On February 1 school staff in England and Wales will stage their first walkout.
More than 23,000 schools will be affected on Wednesday in the biggest day of industrial action for a decade – with many shutting altogether.
90 per cent of the NEU’s 300,000 members voted for Wednesday’s walkout, turnout was 53 per cent.
The action will be the first of seven days of strike chaos planned by furious NEU teachers in England and Wales throughout February and March.
- Henry Moore
Can you take time off work if your child’s school is closed due to strikes?
Industrial action hitting UK schools will undoubtedly affect your child’s education as teachers agree to walk out.
But school closures bring with it the additional worry of childcare, with parents concerned whether they can take time off.
But worry not – the answer is yes, you can.
You are entitled to take reasonable time off work to deal with an unexpected problem or emergency.
This is also called “dependant leave”, according to Citizens Advice.
- Henry Moore
Will Merseyside schools be shut today?
Parents are encouraged to check with their schools across the county.
- Archbishop Beck Catholic College – partially open to Year 11.
- Gateacre School – fully closed.
- Irby Primary School – fully closed.
- Kirkby High School – fully closed.
- Lawrence Community Primary School – only open o Nursery, Class 2M & Class 5B.
- The Liverpool Blue Coat School – fully closed.
- St Julie’s Catholic High School – closed to students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10.
- West Derby School – fully closed.
How many teachers will strike?
Over 23,000 schools are set to be affected by today's industrial action.
But how many teachers will go on strike?
Almost 300,000 teachers voted to strike, making up 53 per cent of the National Education Union’s membership.
With that in mind, at least that number of teachers are likely to down tools, with the possibility of hundreds of thousands more joining them.
Find out if schools in London will be closed HERE
People are advised to check with their local authority for information on school closures in your area.
- Barking and Dagenham
- Barnet
- Bexley
- Brent
- Bromley
- Camden
- City of London
- Croydon
- Ealing
- Enfield
- Greenwich
- Hackney
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Haringey
- Harrow
- Havering
- Hillingdon
- Hounslow
- Islington
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Kingston upon Thames
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Merton
- Newham
- Redbridge
- Richmond upon Thames
- Southwark
- Sutton
- Tower Hamlets
- Waltham Forest
- Wandsworth
- Westminster
Find out if schools in Greater Manchester will be closed HERE
Check your borough website or call up your child’s school for more information on school closures.
- Bolton
- Bury
- Oldham
- Rochdale
- Stockport
- Tameside – check with your school
- Trafford
- Wigan
Will schools in Devon be closed tomorrow?
Here is a list of all the confirmed closures and part closures in Devon ahead of tomorrow’s strikes.
Currently, nearly 40 schools across Devon will be fully or partially closed.
Fully closed:
St Margaret’s Church of England (Aided) Junior SchoolUplowman Church Of England Primary School
Whimple Primary School
St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, Bideford
Partial closure:
Withycombe Raleigh Church of England Primary SchoolSt Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Exmouth
Marwood School
Halberton Primary School
Sidmouth Church Of England (VA) Primary School
Seaton Primary School – closed to the vast majority of children
Queen Elizabeth’s
Cullompton Community College
Tiverton High School
Brixington Primary Academy
Whitchurch Community Primary School
Holsworthy Community College -closed to all students except vulnerable ones and students in year 11
Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School
Southmead School
West Down School
Berrynarbor Church Of England Primary School
Horrabridge Primary and Nursery School (Honiton Community College
Heathcoat Primary School
Atlantic Academy – Closed to Years 8 and 9
Decoy Primary School
Bideford College
Caen Community Primary School
Alphington Primary School
Bowhill Primary School
Ide Primary School
Ottery St Mary Primary School
Copplestone Primary School
Offwell Church Of England Primary School
Haytor View Community Primary School
St James School
St Thomas Primary School
St Gabriel’s Church of England Primary School
More school closures will be announced here.
More strikes to hit Britain’s schools in February and March
Six more strikes will take place throughout February and March, as per the National Education Union’s plans.
Strikes on February 14 and 28, and March 1 and 2 will follow tomorrow’s industrial action.
Finally, nationwide walkouts in England and Wales will take place on March 15 and 16 if a pay deal has not been met.
- Henry Moore
How will Sussex schools be affected by tomorrow's strikes?
Here is a helpful list of schools set to close, or partially close, amid tomorrow's strikes.
However, for confirmation, it is best to contact your child's school.
- Ashurst CE Primary School in Steyning -fully closed
- Billingshurst Primary School – only open to vulnerable pupils
- Broadwater CE Primary School – fully closed
- Chichester Free School – partially closed
- Denton Primary School -fully closed
- Elm Grove First School – partially closed: Only those in Hazel (Year 2) Chestnut (Year 6) will be in
- Hassocks Infant School -partially closed
- Manor Green College – fully closed
- Nyewood CE Junior School – fully closed
- Ocklynge Junior School – fully closed
- Palatine Primary School -fully closed
- Polegate School -fully closed
- Shelley Primary School – partially open: with Reception, one Year 1 class, Year 2, Year 3, Year 5, Year 6 all closed
- Southway Primary School – open only to some vulnerable and other pupils
- St Nicolas and St Mary CE Primary School -fully closed
- St Mark's CE Primary School – fully closed
- Tanbridge House School – partially closed: only open to pupils in Year 11 and vulnerable pupils
- The Angmering School in Littlehampton – partially closed: only open to Year 11 pupils
- Upper Beeding Primary School – fully closed
Union boss pins blame on government for school strike chaos
Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said on Monday afternoon ministers had not engaged with teachers' unions ahead of strikes.
She said: "Gillian Keegan has squandered an opportunity to avoid strike action on Wednesday.
"The Government has been unwilling to seriously engage with the causes of strike action.
"This is having consequences for learning, with disruption every day to children's education. We can do better as a nation, for education, for our children, if we invest more.
"That is in the gift of this government. It should start with a fully-funded, above inflation pay rise for teachers."
Read more here.
When are teachers striking?
On February 1 school staff in England and Wales will stage their first walkout.
More than 23,000 schools will be affected on Wednesday in the biggest day of industrial action for a decade – with many shutting altogether.
90 per cent of the NEU’s 300,000 members voted for Wednesday’s walkout, turnout was 53 per cent.
The action will be the first of seven days of strike chaos planned by furious NEU teachers in England and Wales throughout February and March.
Can you take time off work if your child's school is closed due to strikes?
Industrial action hitting UK schools will undoubtedly affect your child's education as teachers agree to walk out.
But school closures bring with it the additional worry of childcare, with parents concerned whether they can take time off.
But worry not – the answer is yes, you can.
You are entitled to take reasonable time off work to deal with an unexpected problem or emergency.
This is also called "dependant leave", according to Citizens Advice.
Will Merseyside schools be shut tomorrow?
Parents are encouraged to check with their schools across the county.
- Archbishop Beck Catholic College – partially open to Year 11.
- Gateacre School – fully closed.
- Irby Primary School – fully closed.
- Kirkby High School – fully closed.
- Lawrence Community Primary School – only open o Nursery, Class 2M & Class 5B.
- The Liverpool Blue Coat School – fully closed.
- St Julie’s Catholic High School – closed to students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10.
- West Derby School – fully closed.
How many teachers will strike?
Over 23,000 schools are set to be affected by tomorrow's industrial action.
But how many teachers will go on strike?
Almost 300,000 teachers voted to strike, making up 53 per cent of the National Education Union's membership.
With that in mind, at least that number of teachers are likely to down tools, with the possibility of hundreds of thousands more joining them.
- Henry Moore
Find out if schools in London will be closed HERE
People are advised to check with their local authority for information on school closures in your area.
- Barking and Dagenham
- Barnet
- Bexley
- Brent
- Bromley
- Camden
- City of London
- Croydon
- Ealing
- Enfield
- Greenwich
- Hackney
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Haringey
- Harrow
- Havering
- Hillingdon
- Hounslow
- Islington
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Kingston upon Thames
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Merton
- Newham
- Redbridge
- Richmond upon Thames
- Southwark
- Sutton
- Tower Hamlets
- Waltham Forest
- Wandsworth
- Westminster
Find out if schools in Greater Manchester will be closed HERE
Check your borough website or call up your child's school for more information on school closures.
- Bolton
- Bury
- Oldham
- Rochdale
- Stockport
- Tameside – check with your school
- Trafford
- Wigan
Will schools in Devon be closed tomorrow?
Here is a list of all the confirmed closures and part closures in Devon ahead of tomorrow's strikes.
Currently, nearly 40 schools across Devon will be fully or partially closed.
Fully closed:
St Margaret’s Church of England (Aided) Junior SchoolUplowman Church Of England Primary School
Whimple Primary School
St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, Bideford
Partial closure:
Withycombe Raleigh Church of England Primary SchoolSt Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Exmouth
Marwood School
Halberton Primary School
Sidmouth Church Of England (VA) Primary School
Seaton Primary School – closed to the vast majority of children
Queen Elizabeth's
Cullompton Community College
Tiverton High School
Brixington Primary Academy
Whitchurch Community Primary School
Holsworthy Community College -closed to all students except vulnerable ones and students in year 11
Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School
Southmead School
West Down School
Berrynarbor Church Of England Primary School
Horrabridge Primary and Nursery School (Honiton Community College
Heathcoat Primary School
Atlantic Academy – Closed to Years 8 and 9
Decoy Primary School
Bideford College
Caen Community Primary School
Alphington Primary School
Bowhill Primary School
Ide Primary School
Ottery St Mary Primary School
Copplestone Primary School
Offwell Church Of England Primary School
Haytor View Community Primary School
St James School
St Thomas Primary School
St Gabriel’s Church of England Primary School
More school closures will be announced here.
More strikes to hit Britain's schools in February and March
Six more strikes will take place throughout February and March, as per the National Education Union's plans.
February 14 and 28, and March 1, 2 will follow tomorrow's industrial action.
Finally, nationwide walkouts in England and Wales will take place on March 15 and 16 if a pay deal has not been met.
Will Schools in Wales stay open?
As in England, head teachers decide whether to close.
The Welsh government says schools and local authorities should ideally provide a week's notice of any closure.
It says it's up to individual schools to decide how best to minimise the impact of the strikes on their students.
Will schools in England stay open?
Schools should try to stay open, as per government advice.
However, many are likely to be at least partially closed.
Individual teachers don't have to say if they will strike and there are no rules for when parents must be told about closures.
If a school does open, there are no minimum staffing rules and heads can use agency staff and volunteers to cover classes. They do not have to stick to the curriculum.
Schools may choose to offer remote education to pupils at home, but this is not compulsory.
- Henry Moore
Should I send my child to school?
Schools that are set to be fully or partially closed will communicate this with parents and guardians.
Many families will already have been informed whether their children will have to remain at home on Wednesday.
If you have received no information from the school telling you that it is closed or that it cannot provide a place for your child, you still have a legal duty to send them to school unless they are ill.
However, if your child's school is closed, you are allowed to take reasonable time off to care for a child, according to Citizen's Advice.
Known as dependent leave, workers can take time off if "care arrangements for a dependent suddenly break down" or "an unexpected incident involving your child at their school" occurs.
However, this will be unpaid leave unless your contract says otherwise.
- Henry Moore
Everything County Durham residents need to know about tomorrow's strikes
Here is a full list of confirmed closers and partial closures in County Durham amid tomorrow's strikes.
- Aclet Close Nursery School – partially closed.
- Acre Rigg Infant School – partially closed.
- Bearpark Primary School – open for critical workers and vulnerable children.
- Benfieldside Primary School – fully closed.
- Burnside Primary School – closed to Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 6 pupils.
- Castleside Primary School – fully closed.
- Cockfield Primary School – open for critical workers and vulnerable children.
- Cockton Hill Infant School – open for critical workers and vulnerable children.
- Consett Infant School – partial closure.
- Cotsford Infant School -fully closed.
- Crook Primary and Nursery School – partial closure.
- Deaf Hill Primary and Nursery School -fully closed.
- Delves Lane Primary School – partially closed. Nursery, Cherry, Hawthorn, Hazel, Poplar, Willow, Elm and Beech classes will be closed.
- Durham Trinity School and Sports College – partial closure.
- Hamsterley Primary School – fully closed.
- Leadgate Primary School closed to Year 1, Year 3, Year 4 pupils.
- Neville's Cross Primary School – partial closure.
- Newker Primary School – fully closed.
- North Park Primary School – partial closure. Nursery, Reception and Year 5 will remain open.
- Oxclose Primary School – partial closure.
- Peases West Primary School – partial closure. Open for Nursery and years 5 and 6.
- Roseberry Primary School – partial closure. Open for Y1/2 Doves class.
- Shotley Bridge Primary School – partial closure. Closed to classes: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14.
- Silver Tree Primary School – partial closure. Open for Y6 pupils
- St Anne's CofE Primary School – partial closure. Reception and Year 1 will remain open.
- St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College – only open to vulnerable pupils.
- Sunnybrow Primary School – open all day for Class 1, until 12.30pm for Classes 2 and 3 and closed all day for Class 4.
- Yohden Primary School – fully closed.
More school closures across County Durham will be updated here.
When are teachers striking?
On February 1 school staff in England and Wales will stage their first walkout.
More than 23,000 schools will be affected on Wednesday in the biggest day of industrial action for a decade – with many shutting altogether.
90 per cent of the NEU's 300,000 members voted for Wednesday's walkout, turnout was 53 per cent.
The action will be the first of seven days of strike chaos planned by furious NEU teachers in England and Wales throughout February and March.
Source: Read Full Article
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