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Teachers' strikes: When and why are teachers striking? Teachers’ strike dates: When are they and will schools close?
(7 days later)
Industrial action by teachers in England and Wales is set to cause significant disruption. Thousands of pupils are facing disruption as teachers strike over pay.
Strikes in Scotland are already under way. Some parents may need to take time off work or make other childcare arrangements if individual schools are closed.
When are teachers striking? When are NEU teachers striking?
England and WalesEngland and Wales
The National Education Union (NEU) - the UK's largest education union with 450,000 members - has announced seven days of strikes in February and March: After balloting 300,000 teachers and support staff, the UK's largest education union, the National Education Union (NEU), announced seven strike days in February and March:
1 February: All schools in England and Wales1 February: All schools in England and Wales
14 February: All schools in Wales14 February: All schools in Wales
28 February: North and north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber28 February: North and north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber
1 March: East Midlands, West Midlands, and the NEU's eastern region1 March: East Midlands, West Midlands, and the NEU's eastern region
2 March: South-east and south-west England, and London2 March: South-east and south-west England, and London
15 and 16 March: All schools in England and Wales15 and 16 March: All schools in England and Wales
The NEU says individual schools will be affected for a maximum of four days. Government guidance says schools should stay open if possible. NEU teachers in sixth-form colleges in England, who have already been striking, in a separate pay dispute, will also walk out on these dates.
In England, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), failed to achieve the 50% turnout required for industrial action. When are other teaching unions striking?
But its members in Wales successfully backed strikes. The union has now said action short of strike will begin in Wales from 1 February. Wales
The NASUWT also failed to reach the legally required threshold for action. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) is taking action short of a strike from 1 February, including not attending meetings after 17:00 and refusing to engage with school inspectors.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is deciding whether to ballot members.
ScotlandScotland
Almost all primary and secondary schools closed as a result of national and local strikes. Teachers are striking in two local authorities per day until 6 February.
A further 16 days of action by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) began on 16 January. The Educational Institute of Scotland and two other unions will also walk out on 28 February and 1 March.
And the EIS will hold 20 further strike days from 13 March to 21 April.
Which teachers in Scotland are striking and when?
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Teachers from five unions are taking action short of a strike - affecting meeting attendance and administrative tasks. Most teachers in Northern Ireland are walking out for half a day on 21 February.
Across the UK Teachers from five unions have been taking action short of a strike since October.
The University and College Union (UCU) has also announced 18 new strike days across 150 UK universities in February and March. Will my child's school close when teachers strike?
What are teachers' pay demands? England
Head teachers decide whether to close their school. There are no minimum staffing rules.
Government guidance says schools should try to stay open. Agency staff and volunteers can be used to cover classes and teachers do not have to stick to the curriculum.
If any pupils have to stay home, remote education should be provided - much like the online learning during the pandemic.
Wales
As in England, head teachers decide whether to close their school.
The Welsh government says schools and local authorities should work together to minimise disruption.
WATCH: What do the teachers' strikes in England and Wales mean for parents?
WATCH: What do the teachers' strikes in England and Wales mean for parents?
Scotland
In Scotland, local councils decide.
So far, almost all primary and secondary schools have had to close on days of national or local strikes.
Can I get time off work if my child's school closes?
You have the right to take time off work to care for "family and dependants", in an emergency - which can include childcare falling through.
Check with your employer for specific guidance, such as whether it will pay you for the time off.
Under this rule, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, your employer must not refuse you reasonable time off. If you think they are treating you unfairly, ask for advice from your union (if you have one) or the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas).
You might also be able to take unpaid parental leave or annual leave to care for your child on strike days.
When are the next strikes and what pay do workers want?
Will strikes affect breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and pre-schools?
The head teacher may keep a breakfast club, after-school club or pre-school open even if the school itself has to close.
Privately run clubs might not run as usual, so check with the provider.
Will vulnerable children and key workers be prioritised?
Schools in England should prioritise staying open for vulnerable children, children of critical workers and exam students - even if the rest of the school is closed.
Will exams be cancelled?
Schools and colleges should ensure exams go ahead on strike days - even if the school is closed to other pupils.
Parents and students will be told by the school if there needs to be any change to the exam or venue.
Prelims rescheduled as secondary teachers strike
What happens to children on free school meals?
Schools must support children eligible for benefits-related free school meals who cannot attend school during strikes, the guidance for England says.
This might involve schools giving children food parcels.
In Scotland, some families with pupils entitled to free school meals have been paid to cover the costs. Others have been offered a packed lunch.
Members of the EIS union demonstrating in Edinburgh
Why are teachers striking?
It is about pay.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies says teachers' salaries in England fell by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022, if taking into account rising prices.
Most state-school teachers in England and Wales had a 5% rise in 2022. In Northern Ireland many teachers were offered 3.2% for 2021/22 and 2022/23.Most state-school teachers in England and Wales had a 5% rise in 2022. In Northern Ireland many teachers were offered 3.2% for 2021/22 and 2022/23.
But unions argue that inflation means these are really pay cuts. In Scotland, teachers have rejected both a 5% increase and a more recent offer of up to 6.85%.
In Scotland, teachers rejected a 5% increase, arguing for 10%. Unions say inflation means the pay increases are really cuts and they want schools to be given extra money to ensure rises do not have to come from existing budgets.
Members of the EIS union demonstrated outside Bute House in Edinburgh, the official residence of the first minister of Scotland Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the government has already agreed to an extra £2bn in school funding, "which will take real-terms spending on schools to its highest level in history".
A further offer designed to prevent the pre-Christmas strikes - which included rises of up to 6.85% for the lowest paid - was dismissed as "insulting".
Unions also want schools to be given extra money to ensure pay increases don't have to come from existing budgets.
How much do teachers get paid?How much do teachers get paid?
The starting salary for teachers in England is due to rise to £30,000 a year by September 2023.The starting salary for teachers in England is due to rise to £30,000 a year by September 2023.
State school classroom teachers in England were paid an average of £38,982 in the 2021/22 school year. This compares with £39,009 in Wales and £40,026 in Scotland. Northern Ireland did not provide a figure.State school classroom teachers in England were paid an average of £38,982 in the 2021/22 school year. This compares with £39,009 in Wales and £40,026 in Scotland. Northern Ireland did not provide a figure.
The average head teacher's salary in England for the same period was £74,095, and £57,117 for other senior leaders.The average head teacher's salary in England for the same period was £74,095, and £57,117 for other senior leaders.
Experts in England advise the government about teacher pay, based on factors including vacancies and subject shortages.Experts in England advise the government about teacher pay, based on factors including vacancies and subject shortages.
As with all public spending, money allocated to England determines the funding awarded to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.As with all public spending, money allocated to England determines the funding awarded to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Employers also contribute 23.68% to teacher pensions, which Education Secretary Gillian Keegan called "very generous". Nurses, by comparison, receive 14.38% in employer contributions. Employers also contribute 23.68% to teacher pensions, which the education secretary called "very generous". Nurses, by comparison, receive 14.38% in employer contributions.
Are teachers in the top 10% of earners in some areas?
Will some teachers receive a 15.9% pay rise?
Would pay demands cost an extra £28bn?
Do teachers get paid if they strike?
UK employees, including teachers, can't be sacked during the first 12 weeks of official industrial action.
Any worker fired during this period can claim unfair dismissal.
Non-union members who take part in official industrial action have the same protection.
However, employers are unlikely to pay staff for the time they strike because they are technically in breach of their contract.
Do schools close if teachers strike?
WATCH: What do the teachers' strikes in England and Wales mean for parents?
WATCH: What do the teachers' strikes in England and Wales mean for parents?
In Scotland, local councils decide.
In England, it's up to head teachers. There are no minimum staffing rules.
Head teachers are also responsible in Wales, in consultation with local authorities.
If my child's school closes, can I get time off work?
You have the right to take time off work to help a dependant - such as your child - if normal arrangements are disrupted.
But you won't necessarily get paid under this rule, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales.
It may also be possible to have unpaid parental leave. However, this needs to be arranged in advance, and usually taken in week-long blocks.