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Teachers’ strike dates: When and where are schools affected? Teachers’ strike dates: When and where are schools affected?
(about 16 hours later)
Children are facing more disruption as teachers in England and Northern Ireland go on strike again. Children and parents are facing more disruption as teachers in England and Northern Ireland go on strike again.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) in England are striking on 27 April and 2 May. It is the fourth and fifth days they have held national strikes this year. Members of the National Education Union (NEU) in England are striking on 27 April and 2 May. They will be the fourth and fifth days of national strikes this year.
On previous strike days, more than half of England's 22,000 schools have either closed or partially closed.On previous strike days, more than half of England's 22,000 schools have either closed or partially closed.
In Northern Ireland, five teaching unions will strike on 26 April. Most schools in Northern Ireland will be closed on Wednesday as teacher members of five unions go on strike.
Will my child's school close?Will my child's school close?
In England, schools should open if possible, the government says.In England, schools should open if possible, the government says.
NEU members who teach in sixth form colleges will also take part in the upcoming strikes.NEU members who teach in sixth form colleges will also take part in the upcoming strikes.
Most schools are expected to close during the strike in Northern Ireland.Most schools are expected to close during the strike in Northern Ireland.
Members of the NASUWT union who work in further education colleges, and school leaders from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) union, will join the strikes for the first time in the current dispute.Members of the NASUWT union who work in further education colleges, and school leaders from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) union, will join the strikes for the first time in the current dispute.
In both England and Northern Ireland, teachers do not have to say in advance if they are striking, and there are no rules about when parents must be told about closures.In both England and Northern Ireland, teachers do not have to say in advance if they are striking, and there are no rules about when parents must be told about closures.
Head teachers decide whether to shut schools. Some parents may only be told about a closure on the morning itself, once staff numbers are known.Head teachers decide whether to shut schools. Some parents may only be told about a closure on the morning itself, once staff numbers are known.
There are no minimum staffing rules, and heads can use agency staff or volunteers, who do not have to follow the curriculum.There are no minimum staffing rules, and heads can use agency staff or volunteers, who do not have to follow the curriculum.
Schools may offer remote education, but this is not compulsory.Schools may offer remote education, but this is not compulsory.
Can parents take time off and what else do you need to know?Can parents take time off and what else do you need to know?
In both England and Northern Ireland, you can ask for leave to care for "family and dependants", including emergency childcare.In both England and Northern Ireland, you can ask for leave to care for "family and dependants", including emergency childcare.
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.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 England, schools have been asked to prioritise vulnerable pupils, key workers' children. They are also asked to try to prevent or reduce any disruption to exams and other formal assessments. In England, schools have been asked to prioritise vulnerable pupils and key workers' children. They are also asked to try to prevent or reduce any disruption to exams and other formal assessments.
Schools must also support children eligible for benefits-related free school meals if they close.Schools must also support children eligible for benefits-related free school meals if they close.
WATCH: What do the teachers' strikes mean for parents in England?WATCH: What do the teachers' strikes mean for parents in England?
WATCH: What do the teachers' strikes mean for parents in England?WATCH: What do the teachers' strikes mean for parents in England?
What are teachers' pay demands?What are teachers' pay demands?
EnglandEngland
Unions want above-inflation increases, plus extra money to ensure any pay rises do not come from schools' existing budgets.Unions want above-inflation increases, plus extra money to ensure any pay rises do not come from schools' existing budgets.
Most state school teachers in England had a 5% rise in 2022. The independent pay review body has recommended a 3% rise from September 2023.Most state school teachers in England had a 5% rise in 2022. The independent pay review body has recommended a 3% rise from September 2023.
Teachers' salaries in England fell by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022, after taking inflation into account, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says. Unions claim pay has fallen by as much as 23% in that time.Teachers' salaries in England fell by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022, after taking inflation into account, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says. Unions claim pay has fallen by as much as 23% in that time.
After the February strikes, the government made a new pay offer which included a £1,000 one-off payment and a 4.3% pay rise for most teachers in September. The starting salary for teachers in England is also due to rise to £30,000 a year by September. After the February strikes, the government made a new pay offer for school teachers, which included a £1,000 one-off payment and a 4.3% pay rise for most staff in September. The starting salary for teachers in England is also due to rise to £30,000 a year by September.
The Department for Education described it as a "fair and reasonable offer" and said that schools would receive an extra £2.3bn over the next two years.The Department for Education described it as a "fair and reasonable offer" and said that schools would receive an extra £2.3bn over the next two years.
But all four unions involved in the dispute rejected the offer. They said it was still not fully funded, meaning schools would have had to make cuts elsewhere to afford it.But all four unions involved in the dispute rejected the offer. They said it was still not fully funded, meaning schools would have had to make cuts elsewhere to afford it.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the offer was no longer on the table, so the decision on pay would now be made by the independent pay review body.Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the offer was no longer on the table, so the decision on pay would now be made by the independent pay review body.
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Many teachers were offered 3.2% for 2021-22 and 2022-23.Many teachers were offered 3.2% for 2021-22 and 2022-23.
But they have asked for a pay increase of 6% for 2021-22 and a rise of inflation plus 2% for 2022-23.But they have asked for a pay increase of 6% for 2021-22 and a rise of inflation plus 2% for 2022-23.
The NAHT, the NASUWT, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), the Ulster Teachers' Union (UTU) and the NEU will take part in the strike on 26 April. The NAHT, the NASUWT, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), the Ulster Teachers' Union (UTU) and the NEU are taking part in the strike on 26 April.
It is the first time in its 125-year history that NAHT members will be striking over pay.It is the first time in its 125-year history that NAHT members will be striking over pay.
Teachers in those unions have also been taking action short of a strike since October 2022, which includes refusing to provide lunchtime supervision or to attend meetings held outside working hours.Teachers in those unions have also been taking action short of a strike since October 2022, which includes refusing to provide lunchtime supervision or to attend meetings held outside working hours.
WalesWales
Teachers from the NEU have agreed on an increased pay offer of 8% for 2022-23 (a 6.5% increase in annual pay, plus a one-off payment of 1.5%) - and a 5% increase in annual pay for 2023-24.Teachers from the NEU have agreed on an increased pay offer of 8% for 2022-23 (a 6.5% increase in annual pay, plus a one-off payment of 1.5%) - and a 5% increase in annual pay for 2023-24.
The NAHT in Wales has rejected the offer. The union is calling for talks to resume, and says funding arrangements remain a major concern for school leaders.The NAHT in Wales has rejected the offer. The union is calling for talks to resume, and says funding arrangements remain a major concern for school leaders.
Since 1 February, NAHT members have also been taking action short of a strike.Since 1 February, NAHT members have also been taking action short of a strike.
ScotlandScotland
The dispute has ended in Scotland as unions have accepted a 7% rise for 2022-23, backdated to April. They have also accepted a 5% rise in April 2023, and a 2% rise in January 2024.The dispute has ended in Scotland as unions have accepted a 7% rise for 2022-23, backdated to April. They have also accepted a 5% rise in April 2023, and a 2% rise in January 2024.
What do teachers earn?What do teachers earn?
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.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.
The average head teacher salary in England for the same period was £74,095, and £57,117 for other senior leaders.The average head teacher salary in England for the same period was £74,095, and £57,117 for other senior leaders.
Experts advise ministers about teacher pay, based on factors such as vacancy rates and subject shortages.Experts advise ministers about teacher pay, based on factors such as vacancy rates and subject shortages.
As with all public spending, money allocated in England is awarded proportionately to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.As with all public spending, money allocated in England is awarded proportionately to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Employers also contribute 23.68% to teacher pensions. Nurses, by comparison, receive 14.38%.Employers also contribute 23.68% to teacher pensions. Nurses, by comparison, receive 14.38%.
Will there be more teacher strikes?Will there be more teacher strikes?
The NEU is considering three further days of strike action in the summer term in England.The NEU is considering three further days of strike action in the summer term in England.
Teachers in England in the NASUWT union will be re-balloted on strike action. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is also due to ballot members on national strike action in England for the first time in its history. Teachers in England in the NASUWT union will be reballoted on strike action. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is also due to ballot members on national strike action in England for the first time in its history.
Any action taken by ASCL would be in the autumn term.Any action taken by ASCL would be in the autumn term.
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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