This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-63283289

The article has changed 111 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 32 Version 33
When are teachers going on strike, why and will schools close? Teachers’ strike dates: When are they and will schools close?
(about 13 hours later)
Thousands of schools are facing disruption as teachers strike over pay.Thousands of schools are facing disruption as teachers strike over pay.
Many parents may need to take time off work, or arrange childcare, if their children's school closes. Parents may need to take time off work, or arrange childcare, if schools close.
When are NEU teachers striking?When are NEU teachers striking?
England and WalesEngland and Wales
More than 100,000 teachers could strike, with 23,000 schools affected, the National Education Union (NEU) says. The NEU, which is the largest teaching union, plans seven strike days: More than 100,000 teachers in 23,000 schools could walk out across seven strike days, according to the National Education Union (NEU):
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
NEU teachers in sixth-form colleges in England, who have already been on strike over pay, will also walk out. NEU teachers in sixth-form colleges in England - who are already striking - will also walk out.
Strike dates: when are teachers, trains and others going on strike? Who could have to work during a strike?
Teachers' strikes to go ahead after talks fail
'Deciding to close our school has been horrible'
'Striking will be hard but teachers have to take action’
When are the NAHT, EIS and other unions striking?When are the NAHT, EIS and other 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 walk out on 28 February and 1 March.
The EIS will hold 20 further strike days between 13 March and 21 April.The EIS will hold 20 further strike days between 13 March and 21 April.
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 will walk out for half a day on 21 February.
Teachers from five unions have been taking action short of a strike since October. Five unions are already taking action short of a strike.
Will my child's school close when teachers strike? Will my child's school close?
EnglandEngland
Schools should try to stay open, the government says. Schools should try to open, the government says, but many will at least partially close.
However, many are likely to be at least partially closed. The decision is made by head teachers. Teachers don't have to say if they are striking in advance, and there are no rules about when parents must be told about closures.
It is head teachers who decide whether to close their school. Individual teachers don't have to say if they will strike and there are no rules for when parents must be told about closures. Some parents may only be told about a closure on the morning itself, once heads know which staff are available.
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. There are no minimum staffing rules, and heads can use agency staff and volunteers. 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. Schools may offer some remote education, 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 parents should ideally get a week's notice, but individual schools will decide how best to minimise the impact of the strikes.
It says it's up to individual schools to decide how best to minimise the impact of the strikes on their students.
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
Almost all primary and secondary schools have closed on strike days. Local councils make this decision. Almost all primary and secondary schools have closed on strike days. Local councils make the decision.
Can I get time off work?Can I get time off work?
You have the right to take time off work to care for "family and dependants", which can include emergency childcare. In England, Scotland and Wales, you have the right to time off to care for "family and dependants", which can include emergency childcare.
Check with your employer for guidance, such as whether it will pay you. Your employer must not refuse a reasonable request, but you may not be paid.
Under this rule, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, your employer must not refuse a reasonable request. Alternatively, you may be able to take annual leave or unpaid parental leave.
You might also be able to take annual leave or unpaid parental leave.
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 closes. Breakfast and after-school clubs and pre-schools may be open, even if the main school closes.
Privately-run clubs might not operate as usual, so check with the provider. Privately-run clubs might not operate, so check.
Will vulnerable children and key workers be prioritised? What about vulnerable pupils and key workers' children?
Schools in England should prioritise staying open for vulnerable pupils, key workers' children and exam students. Schools in England should prioritise staying open for vulnerable pupils and key workers' children.
Wales's education minister says head teachers will be doing "whatever they can" to support pupils sitting exams, and vulnerable children. Wales' education minister says head teachers are doing "whatever they can" to support these groups.
Will exams be cancelled?Will exams be cancelled?
All schools and colleges should have exam contingency plans in place to help prevent any kind of disruption. All schools and colleges should have contingency plans in place to limit disruption.
Schools should try to prioritise exams and other formal assessments on strike days, even if the school is closed to other pupils. They should prioritise exams and other formal assessments on strike days, even if the school is closed to other pupils.
But if they think strikes could disrupt the exams, school leaders should ask for advice from exam boards, according to guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. School leaders who fear strikes could cause disruption should consult exam boards, according to guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Parents and students will be told by the school if there needs to be any change to the exam or venue. Students will be told if there is any change to the exam or venue.
Prelims rescheduled as secondary teachers strike Some prelim exams were rescheduled in Scotland due to strikes.
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.Schools must support children eligible for benefits-related free school meals who cannot attend school during strikes.
This might involve providing food parcels.This might involve providing food parcels.
In Scotland, some families with children entitled to free school meals were given money to cover the cost, while others were offered a packed lunch. In Scotland, some families were given money to cover food costs, 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?
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, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) says.
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%.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%.
Unions say inflation means the pay increases are really cuts. They want schools to get extra money to ensure pay rises do not come from existing budgets.Unions say inflation means the pay increases are really cuts. They want schools to get extra money to ensure pay rises do not 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 in England determines the funding awarded to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.As with all public spending, money allocated in 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.
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSayTweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Upload pictures or videoUpload pictures or video
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policyPlease read our terms & conditions and privacy policy
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.