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Strike hits 2,300 schools so far Strike hits 2,300 schools so far
(9 minutes later)
Parents are being warned about the impact of this week's teachers' strike - with over 2,300 schools so far set to be fully or partially closed.Parents are being warned about the impact of this week's teachers' strike - with over 2,300 schools so far set to be fully or partially closed.
Local authorities in England and Wales are gathering information - with 62 local authorities revealing their closure plans for the one-day strike.Local authorities in England and Wales are gathering information - with 62 local authorities revealing their closure plans for the one-day strike.
These figures, mostly from outside London, suggest that several thousand schools will be disrupted on Thursday.These figures, mostly from outside London, suggest that several thousand schools will be disrupted on Thursday.
However, so far it seems unlikely that half of schools will be closed.However, so far it seems unlikely that half of schools will be closed.
For example, in Birmingham, out of 441 schools, the local authority is expecting 56 schools to be closed or partially closed.For example, in Birmingham, out of 441 schools, the local authority is expecting 56 schools to be closed or partially closed.
Empty classroomsEmpty classrooms
But disruption is not going to be limited to inner city areas. In Dorset, 29 out of 178 schools will face some degree of disruption - including full closure or the loss of lessons for individual year groups.But disruption is not going to be limited to inner city areas. In Dorset, 29 out of 178 schools will face some degree of disruption - including full closure or the loss of lessons for individual year groups.
TEACHERS' STRIKE Schools so far facing strike disruptionTEACHERS' STRIKE Schools so far facing strike disruption
And there will be 43 schools in Norfolk affected by the strike.And there will be 43 schools in Norfolk affected by the strike.
The one-day strike on April 24, being staged by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in protest against a pay offer, will be the first national teachers' strike for two decades.The one-day strike on April 24, being staged by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in protest against a pay offer, will be the first national teachers' strike for two decades.
The government has so far shown no signs of shifting ground - and both ministers and unions will be watching carefully to see the extent to which schools are disrupted.The government has so far shown no signs of shifting ground - and both ministers and unions will be watching carefully to see the extent to which schools are disrupted.
There are some local authorities which have published lists of individual schools which will be partially or fully closed on Thursday - and others which have forecast numbers of schools that will be affected.There are some local authorities which have published lists of individual schools which will be partially or fully closed on Thursday - and others which have forecast numbers of schools that will be affected.
The total facing disruption in England and Wales so far is about 2,300 in 62 local authorities - representing more than a third of authorities.The total facing disruption in England and Wales so far is about 2,300 in 62 local authorities - representing more than a third of authorities.
If this pattern was followed across the country on Thursday, it would mean more than one in four schools would be likely to be disrupted.If this pattern was followed across the country on Thursday, it would mean more than one in four schools would be likely to be disrupted.
However, inner London authorities, which have so far not revealed closure plans, are expected to have a higher proportion of schools affected by the strike.However, inner London authorities, which have so far not revealed closure plans, are expected to have a higher proportion of schools affected by the strike.
But on such figures, it so far seems unlikely that half of schools will be disrupted - which would need teachers in about 12,000 schools to strike.But on such figures, it so far seems unlikely that half of schools will be disrupted - which would need teachers in about 12,000 schools to strike.
Pay offerPay offer
Within the schools that are facing disruption, many will remain open to some pupils as teachers in other unions are expected to work as usual.Within the schools that are facing disruption, many will remain open to some pupils as teachers in other unions are expected to work as usual.
For instance in Doncaster, 53 primary schools will open as normal, 27 will be partially closed and 22 will be fully closed.For instance in Doncaster, 53 primary schools will open as normal, 27 will be partially closed and 22 will be fully closed.
Out of 126 schools in Bolton, 22 schools will be partially closed and 44 fully closed.Out of 126 schools in Bolton, 22 schools will be partially closed and 44 fully closed.
The NUT's acting general secretary, Christine Blower, has warned that "three years of below-inflation awards for teachers continues to have a damaging effect on teacher recruitment and retention".The NUT's acting general secretary, Christine Blower, has warned that "three years of below-inflation awards for teachers continues to have a damaging effect on teacher recruitment and retention".
The union is protesting against a pay deal worth 2.45% this year with a further rise of 2.3% in 2009 and 2010.The union is protesting against a pay deal worth 2.45% this year with a further rise of 2.3% in 2009 and 2010.
But the chairman of the National Employers' Organisation for School Teachers, Ivan Ould, criticised the timing of the strike: "Children so close to their exams will lose out on invaluable study time and parents will lose out as they are forced to take unnecessary holiday to look after them."But the chairman of the National Employers' Organisation for School Teachers, Ivan Ould, criticised the timing of the strike: "Children so close to their exams will lose out on invaluable study time and parents will lose out as they are forced to take unnecessary holiday to look after them."
The government has also continued to oppose the strike.The government has also continued to oppose the strike.
"I'm on the side of parents who will be disappointed if their children's education is disrupted on Thursday, because we have decided to accept an independent pay review," said Schools Secretary Ed Balls."I'm on the side of parents who will be disappointed if their children's education is disrupted on Thursday, because we have decided to accept an independent pay review," said Schools Secretary Ed Balls.
"The majority of teachers do not want to strike," he said."The majority of teachers do not want to strike," he said.


Are you a teacher who will be taking part in the strike action on Thursday? Could your school face closure on the day? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. Are you a teacher who will be taking part in the strike action on Thursday? Are you a parent whose day will be disrupted by the strike? Could your school face closure on the day? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
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