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Teachers’ strike dates: When are they and will schools close? Teachers’ strike dates: When are they and will schools close?
(about 16 hours later)
Thousands of pupils are facing disruption as teachers strike over pay. Thousands of schools are facing disruption as teachers strike over pay.
Some parents may need to take time off work or make other childcare arrangements if their children's schools close.Some parents may need to take time off work or make other childcare arrangements if their children's schools close.
When are NEU teachers striking?When are NEU teachers striking?
England and WalesEngland and Wales
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: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 expects 100,000 teachers to strike, disrupting 23,000 schools.The NEU expects 100,000 teachers to strike, disrupting 23,000 schools.
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.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.
When are other teaching unions striking?When are other teaching unions striking?
WalesWales
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) is taking action short of a strike from 1 February.The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) is taking action short of a strike from 1 February.
ScotlandScotland
Teachers are striking in two local authorities per day until 6 February.Teachers are striking in two local authorities per day until 6 February.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and two other unions will also walk out on 28 February and 1 March.The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and two other unions will also walk out on 28 February and 1 March.
And the EIS will hold 20 further strike days between 13 March to 21 April.And the EIS will hold 20 further strike days between 13 March to 21 April.
Which teachers in Scotland are striking and when?Which teachers in Scotland are striking and when?
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Most teachers in Northern Ireland are walking out for half a day on 21 February.Most teachers in Northern Ireland are walking out for half a day on 21 February.
Teachers from five unions have been taking action short of a strike since October.Teachers from five unions have been taking action short of a strike since October.
Will my child's school close when teachers strike?Will my child's school close when teachers strike?
EnglandEngland
Head teachers decide whether to close their school. There are no minimum staffing rules, and no statutory notice period ahead of any closure.Head teachers decide whether to close their school. There are no minimum staffing rules, and no statutory notice period ahead of any closure.
Government guidance says schools should try to stay open, having used the formal strike notice period to develop contingency plans.Government guidance says schools should try to stay open, having used the formal strike notice period to develop contingency plans.
Heads can use agency staff and volunteers to cover classes, and they do not have to stick to the curriculum.Heads can use agency staff and volunteers to cover classes, and they do not have to stick to the curriculum.
Schools may choose to offer remote education to pupils at home - as during the pandemic - but this is not compulsory.Schools may choose to offer remote education to pupils at home - as during the pandemic - but this is not compulsory.
WalesWales
As in England, head teachers decide whether to close.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.The Welsh government says schools and local authorities should ideally provide a week's notice of any closure.
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?
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?
ScotlandScotland
In Scotland, local councils decide.In Scotland, local councils decide.
So far, almost all primary and secondary schools have closed on national or local strike days.So far, almost all primary and secondary schools have closed on national or local strike days.
Can I get time off work if my child's school closes?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", which can include the need for emergency childcare.You have the right to take time off work to care for "family and dependants", which can include the need for emergency childcare.
Check with your employer for specific guidance, such as whether it will pay you.Check with your employer for specific guidance, such as whether it will pay you.
Under this rule, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, your employer must not refuse a reasonable request.Under this rule, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, your employer must not refuse a reasonable request.
If you think you are being treated unfairly, ask for advice from your union (if applicable) or the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas).If you think you are being treated unfairly, ask for advice from your union (if applicable) or the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas).
You might also be able to take annual leave or unpaid parental leave on strike days.You might also be able to take annual leave or unpaid parental leave on strike days.
Will strikes affect breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and pre-schools?Will strikes affect breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and pre-schools?
Head teachers may keep a breakfast club, after-school club or pre-school open even if the school itself has to close.Head teachers 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 operate as usual, so check with the provider.Privately-run clubs might not operate as usual, so check with the provider.
Will vulnerable children and key workers be prioritised?Will vulnerable children and key workers be prioritised?
Schools in England should prioritise staying open for vulnerable pupils, key workers' children and exam students - even if the rest of the school is closed.Schools in England should prioritise staying open for vulnerable pupils, key workers' children and exam students - even if the rest of the school is closed.
Will exams be cancelled?Will exams be cancelled?
Schools and colleges should ensure exams go ahead on strike days - even if the school is closed to other pupils.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 of any changes to an exam or venue.Parents and students will be told of any changes to an exam or venue.
Prelims rescheduled as secondary teachers strikePrelims rescheduled as secondary teachers strike
What happens to children on free school meals?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.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 providing food parcels.This might involve providing food parcels.
In Scotland, some families where the children are entitled to free school meals were given money to cover the cost while others were offered a packed lunch.In Scotland, some families where the children are entitled to free school meals were given money to cover the cost while others were offered a packed lunch.
Members of the EIS union demonstrating in EdinburghMembers of the EIS union demonstrating in Edinburgh
What are teachers' pay demands?What are teachers' pay demands?
The Institute for Fiscal Studies says teacher salaries in England fell by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022, after taking rising prices into account.The Institute for Fiscal Studies says teacher salaries in England fell by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022, after taking rising prices into account.
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.
In Scotland, teachers have rejected both a 5% increase and a more recent offer of up to 6.85%.In Scotland, teachers have rejected both a 5% increase and a more recent offer of up to 6.85%.
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.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.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the government has already agreed to provide an extra £2bn in school funding, "which will take real-terms spending on schools to its highest level in history".Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the government has already agreed to provide an extra £2bn in school funding, "which will take real-terms spending on schools to its highest level in history".
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 the education secretary 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.