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 53 Version 54
Teachers' strike dates: When and where are schools affected? Teachers' strike dates: When and where are schools affected?
(about 20 hours later)
Thousands of schools across England are facing further disruption as teachers go on strike again over pay. Thousands of schools across England face further disruption as teachers strike again over pay.
More than half of England's schools closed or partially closed during the first National Education Union (NEU) strike on 1 February. No further industrial action is currently planned in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also faced disruption, but no further strikes are currently planned. When are teachers striking in England?
When are NEU teachers striking? Teachers from the NEU are striking on 15 and 16 March, the latest in a series of walk-outs.
England and Wales Sixth-form college NEU teachers are also taking part.
NEU strikes are scheduled for 15 and 16 March in schools in England. The Department for Education asked for "formal talks on pay, conditions and reform", but only if the NEU called the strikes off.
NEU teachers in sixth-form colleges in England are also joining the walkouts. The NEU said it would only suspend action if good progress was made first.
In Wales, strike action has been called off following talks with the Welsh government. Are teachers striking in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Teachers in the north of England walked out on 28 February, and in the East Midlands, West Midlands, and the NEU's eastern region on 1 March. No strikes are planned.
All schools in Wales were affected by strike action on 2 March (postponed from 14 Feb), as well as those in south-east and south-west England, and London. In Wales, the NEU paused action after Welsh government talks.
More than half of schools closed or restricted attendance in northern and southern England on their respective regional strike days.
The Department for Education said it wanted "formal talks on pay, conditions and reform", ahead of the latest strike days - but only if the NEU called them off.
The NEU said it would only pause action if good progress was made in talks first.
Northern Ireland
NEU members joined three other unions in a half-day walkout on 21 February.
When are the EIS and other unions striking?
Wales
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) began action short of a strike on 1 February.The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) began action short of a strike on 1 February.
Scotland In Scotland, strikes were called off after the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) accepted a new pay deal.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and two other unions walked out on 28 February and 1 March. The NASUWT is still consulting its members.
Further strikes have been called off. In Northern Ireland, five unions are taking action short of a strike.
Northern Ireland
Most teachers in Northern Ireland walked out for half a day on 21 February.
Five unions were already taking action short of a strike.
What are teachers' pay demands?What are teachers' pay demands?
Unions are calling for above-inflation increases, and want schools to get extra money to ensure pay rises don't come from existing budgets.
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.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the government has already agreed to provide an extra £2bn in school funding in England, "which will take real-terms spending on schools to its highest level in history".
The government is proposing a 3% pay rise for most teachers in 2023/24 - but the NEU says this is not enough.
In Wales, the NEU is consulting members on a recent offer which it says would mean an 11.8% rise over two years - plus a 1.5% one-off pay rise.
It called off strike action planned for 15 and 16 March after the offer was made.
In Scotland, strikes have also been suspended. Teachers have been offered a 7% rise backdated to April, a further 5% next month and 2% in January.
Two unions - the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) - have said they will accept the offer. But a third - the NASUWT - is urging rejection and is still consulting its members.
In Northern Ireland, many teachers were offered 3.2% for 2021/22 and 2022/23.
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.
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.
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.
Employers also contribute 23.68% to teacher pensions, which the education secretary called "very generous". Nurses, by comparison, receive 14.38% in employer contributions.
Will my child's school close on strike days?
EnglandEngland
Schools should try to open, the government says, but fewer than half were fully operational during the first national strike on 1 February. Unions want above-inflation increases, plus extra money to ensure rises don't come from existing budgets.
Head teachers decide. 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. Salaries in England fell by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022, after taking inflation into account, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) says.
Some carers may only be told about a closure on the morning itself, once heads know which staff are available. Unions claim teacher pay has fallen by as much as 23% in that time.
There are no minimum staffing rules, and heads can use agency staff and volunteers who do not have to stick to the curriculum. Most state school teachers in England had a 5% rise in 2022.
Schools may offer remote education, but this is not compulsory. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the government has committed an extra £2bn in England, taking "real-terms spending on schools to its highest level in history".
The government offered most teachers a 3% rise in 2023/24 - which the NEU says is not enough.
WalesWales
As in England, head teachers decide whether to close. The NEU is consulting members on an increased pay offer of 8% for 2022-23 (6.5% plus a one off payment of 1.5%) and a 5% increase for 2023/24.
The Welsh government says parents should ideally get a week's notice, but that individual schools must decide what to do.
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 decide. Teachers have been offered a 7% rise for 2022-23, which would be backdated to April. They have also been offered a 5% rise in April 2023, and a 2% in January 2024.
Can I get time off work? Northern Ireland
In England, Scotland and Wales, you have the right to time off to care for "family and dependants", which can include emergency childcare. Many teachers were offered 3.2% for 2021/22 and 2022/23.
Your employer must not refuse a reasonable request, but you may not be paid. Alternatively, you may be able to take annual leave or unpaid parental leave. What do teachers earn?
Will strikes affect breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and pre-schools? The starting salary for teachers in England is due to rise to £30,000 a year by September 2023.
Wrap-around care and pre-schools may be open, even if the main school is not. 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. Northern Ireland did not provide a figure.
However, privately run clubs might not operate so check. The average head teacher salary in England for the same period was £74,095, and £57,117 for other senior leaders.
What about vulnerable pupils and key workers' children? Experts advise ministers about teacher pay, based on vacancy rates and subject shortages.
Schools in England should prioritise staying open for vulnerable pupils and key workers' children. As with all public spending, money allocated in England is awarded proportionately to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Wales's education minister said head teachers were doing "whatever they can" to support these groups. Employers also contribute 23.68% to teacher pensions. Nurses, by comparison, receive 14.38%.
Will exams be cancelled? What do carers need to know?
All schools and colleges should have contingency plans to limit disruption. Schools should open in England if possible, the government says, but fewer than half were fully operational during the first national strike on 1 February.
These should prioritise exams and other formal assessments on strike days, even if the school is closed to other pupils. Teachers don't have to say in advance if they are striking, and there are no rules about when parents must be notified about closures.
School leaders who are concerned should consult exam boards, according to guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Head teachers decide whether to shut. Some carers may only be told about a closure on the morning itself, once staff numbers are known.
Students will be told if there is any change to the exam or venue. There are no minimum staffing rules, and heads can use agency staff or volunteers who don't have to follow the curriculum.
Some Scottish prelim exams were rescheduled due to strikes. Schools may offer remote education, but this is not compulsory.
What happens to children on free school meals? Can parents take time off?
Schools must support children eligible for benefits-related free school meals who cannot attend school during strikes. You can ask for leave to care for "family and dependants", including emergency childcare.
This might involve providing food parcels. Your employer must not refuse a reasonable request, but you may not be paid. Alternatively you may be able to take holiday or unpaid parental leave.
In Scotland, some families were offered packed lunches or given money to cover food costs. Check whether wrap-around care or pre-schools are running.
Schools should prioritise vulnerable pupils and key workers' children.
Exams and other formal assessments must also be managed, with students notified about any changes.
Schools must also support children eligible for benefits-related free school meals if schools close.
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.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
TeachingTeaching
Primary schoolsPrimary schools
National Association of Head TeachersNational Association of Head Teachers
State schoolsState schools
InflationInflation
Cost of livingCost of living
Strike actionStrike action