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Teachers' strikes: When, where and why? Teachers' strikes: When, where and why?
(32 minutes later)
Four unions are recommending members accept a 6.5% pay rise to end the strike action affecting schools in England.Four unions are recommending members accept a 6.5% pay rise to end the strike action affecting schools in England.
Strikes by National Education Union (NEU) staff closed many schools this year, and NASUWT members also voted to take action.Strikes by National Education Union (NEU) staff closed many schools this year, and NASUWT members also voted to take action.
When are teachers striking?When are teachers striking?
No strikes are currently planned.No strikes are currently planned.
The four unions involved in the dispute - the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), NASUWT and NEU - are putting a revised pay offer to members.The four unions involved in the dispute - the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), NASUWT and NEU - are putting a revised pay offer to members.
In a joint statement, the prime minister, education secretary and teaching unions said the offer was "properly funded" and all schools would receive additional funding "above what was proposed in March".In a joint statement, the prime minister, education secretary and teaching unions said the offer was "properly funded" and all schools would receive additional funding "above what was proposed in March".
The 6.5% rise was recommended by the School Teachers' Review Body.The 6.5% rise was recommended by the School Teachers' Review Body.
The NASUWT had been considering walkouts next term, after members voted in favour of strike action.The NASUWT had been considering walkouts next term, after members voted in favour of strike action.
The NEU is currently re-balloting its members over further strike action.The NEU is currently re-balloting its members over further strike action.
The ASCL and NAHT are also holding strike ballots.The ASCL and NAHT are also holding strike ballots.
All four unions have said they would co-ordinate any action in the autumn, which could lead to more full school closures. All four unions had said they would co-ordinate any action in the autumn, which could lead to more full school closures.
The Department for Education (DfE) said further strike action would cause "real damage" to pupils.The Department for Education (DfE) said further strike action would cause "real damage" to pupils.
No further strike action is scheduled in Wales or Northern Ireland, and the pay dispute has been resolved in Scotland.No further strike action is scheduled in Wales or Northern Ireland, and the pay dispute has been resolved in Scotland.
Will my child's school close?Will my child's school close?
In England, schools should open if possible, the government says. In the event of a teachers' strike, schools in England should open if possible, the government says.
Teachers do not have to declare in advance if they intend to strike, and there are no rules about when parents must be told about school closures.Teachers do not have to declare in advance if they intend to strike, and there are no rules about when parents must be told about school closures.
Head teachers take a decision on whether to shut schools. Some parents may only be told about a closure on the morning of industrial action, once staff numbers are known.Head teachers take a decision on whether to shut schools. Some parents may only be told about a closure on the morning of industrial action, once staff numbers are known.
There are no minimum staffing rules. Head teachers can use agency staff or volunteers, who do not have to follow the curriculum.There are no minimum staffing rules. Head teachers can use agency staff or volunteers, who do not have to follow the curriculum.
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 England, you can ask for leave to care for "family and dependants", including emergency childcare.In England, 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.
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 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.
The NEU issued guidance to support arrangements for head teachers to "provide the minimum level of teaching staff needed" on strike days so students who had exams coming up could attend school.The NEU issued guidance to support arrangements for head teachers to "provide the minimum level of teaching staff needed" on strike days so students who had exams coming up could attend school.
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.
Why are teachers striking? What do they want?Why are teachers striking? What do they want?
EnglandEngland
Teachers from the four unions want an above-inflation pay rise, plus extra money to ensure any increase does not come from existing budgets.Teachers from the four unions want an above-inflation pay rise, plus extra money to ensure any increase does not come from existing budgets.
Most state school teachers in England had a 5% pay rise for the year 2022-23.Most state school teachers in England had a 5% pay rise for the year 2022-23.
But the IFS says teachers' salaries in England fell by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022, after taking inflation into account. Unions claim pay has fallen by as much as 23% in that time.But the IFS says teachers' salaries in England fell by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022, after taking inflation into account. Unions claim pay has fallen by as much as 23% in that time.
After intensive talks, the government offered an additional one-off payment of £1,000. It also increased the offer for most teachers next year to 4.3%, with starting salaries reaching £30,000.After intensive talks, the government offered an additional one-off payment of £1,000. It also increased the offer for most teachers next year to 4.3%, with starting salaries reaching £30,000.
The DfE described it as a "fair and reasonable offer", and said schools would receive an extra £2.3bn over the next two years.The DfE described it as a "fair and reasonable offer", and said schools would receive an extra £2.3bn over the next two years.
All four unions rejected the deal and the £1,000 payment was taken off the table.All four unions rejected the deal and the £1,000 payment was taken off the table.
But then, the independent pay review body submitted its recommendation, of 6.5%, for next year's pay award to government.But then, the independent pay review body submitted its recommendation, of 6.5%, for next year's pay award to government.
And on Thursday, the joint statement from the prime minister, the education secretary and teaching unions said a 6.5% rise would "allow teachers and school leaders to call off strike action".And on Thursday, the joint statement from the prime minister, the education secretary and teaching unions said a 6.5% rise would "allow teachers and school leaders to call off strike action".
The government will also provide a hardship fund of up to £40m to support those schools facing the greatest financial challenges.The government will also provide a hardship fund of up to £40m to support those schools facing the greatest financial challenges.
Three teachers explain why they are taking industrial actionThree teachers explain why they are taking industrial action
Three teachers explain why they are taking industrial actionThree teachers explain why they are taking industrial action
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
There has been no pay deal for teachers in Northern Ireland since 2021.There has been no pay deal for teachers in Northern Ireland since 2021.
Then, unions rejected an offer of around 3.2% spread over two years from 2021-23, arguing many teachers would get less than that.Then, unions rejected an offer of around 3.2% spread over two years from 2021-23, arguing many teachers would get less than that.
They have since asked for a pay increase of 6% for 2021-22, and a rise of inflation plus 2% for 2022-23.They have since 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, the Ulster Teachers' Union and the NEU took part in the most recent strike, which closed most schools.The NAHT, the NASUWT, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, the Ulster Teachers' Union and the NEU took part in the most recent strike, which closed most schools.
Members of the NASUWT union who work in further education colleges and school leaders from the NAHT joined 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 NAHT joined the strikes for the first time in the current dispute.
It is the first time in its 125-year history that NAHT members have taken strike action over pay.It is the first time in its 125-year history that NAHT members have taken strike action over pay.
Teachers in Northern Ireland 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 Northern Ireland 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 agreed 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 agreed 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 says funding arrangements remain a major concern for school leaders.The NAHT in Wales has rejected the offer. The union 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 ended in Scotland when unions accepted a 7% rise for 2022-23, backdated to April. They also accepted a 5% rise in April 2023, and a 2% rise in January 2024.The dispute ended in Scotland when unions accepted a 7% rise for 2022-23, backdated to April. They also accepted a 5% rise in April 2023, and a 2% rise in January 2024.
How much are teachers paid?How much are teachers paid?
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%.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
TeachingTeaching
Primary schoolsPrimary schools
National Association of Head TeachersNational Association of Head Teachers
State schoolsState schools
InflationInflation
Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)
EnglandEngland
Cost of livingCost of living
Strike actionStrike action