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Strike disrupting 8,000 schools Strike disrupting 8,000 schools
(10 minutes later)
The first national teachers' strike for two decades is disrupting a third of schools in England and Wales. About a third of schools in England and Wales have been disrupted by the first national teachers' strike in 21 years.
A survey of 140 local authorities shows that at least 8,000 schools are closed or partially closed. The walkout by thousands of teachers has closed or partially closed up to 8,000 schools, and forced parents to stay at home or find childcare.
Rallies will be held by the National Union of Teachers around the country, as members demand a 4.1% pay increase rather than the 2.45% on offer. Rallies will be held by the National Union of Teachers around the two countries, as members demand a 4.1% pay rise rather than the 2.45% on offer.
Schools Minister Jim Knight says parents will be "frustrated and inconvenienced" by the strike. Schools Minister Jim Knight said parents would be frustrated.
This one-day strike is the opening move in what the teachers' union says will be a long-term campaign over pay.This one-day strike is the opening move in what the teachers' union says will be a long-term campaign over pay.
Widespread disruptionWidespread disruption
Local authorities have been warning parents about disruption - and a survey of eight out of 10 councils showed that 33% of schools are expected to be affected. This could mean lost lessons in schools teaching more than 2.5 million pupils. Earlier this week, a survey of eight out of 10 councils showed that a third of schools were expected to be affected. This could mean lost lessons in schools teaching more than 2.5 million pupils.
The Local Government Association said about half of the disrupted schools would be closed entirely to pupils - with the others closed for individual classes or year groups.
Early reports on Thursday suggested:
  • In Cumbria more than 90 schools are shut and a further 53 are partially closed
  • In Birmingham, the largest local education authority in the UK, 160 schools are affected. The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce anticipated the strike would cost the city millions of pounds as parents stayed at home or looked for alternative childcare arrangements
  • In Wales, half of schools (900) are shut or partially shut
  • At a partially-closed primary school in Cardiff, one twin had to go to school, the other, who was in a different class, stayed at home
  • In Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, more than 170 schools are either closed or partially shut
  • Widespread disruption is also expected to schools in Leeds, Manchester, Suffolk, Nottinghamshire and inner London
    • But many other schools will be unaffected - as the strike is only being staged by the NUT without the support of other teachers' unions.
    TEACHERS' PAY £20,133 - starting salary (England and Wales)£34,281 - most experienced teachers' salary (outside London)+£4,000 - additional pay for inner London teachers£39,525 - headteachers' starting salaryNearly £100,000 - most experienced headteachers' salary Schools so far facing disruptionThousands in civil service strikeTEACHERS' PAY £20,133 - starting salary (England and Wales)£34,281 - most experienced teachers' salary (outside London)+£4,000 - additional pay for inner London teachers£39,525 - headteachers' starting salaryNearly £100,000 - most experienced headteachers' salary Schools so far facing disruptionThousands in civil service strike
    According to the Local Government Association, about half of the disrupted schools will be closed entirely to pupils - with the others closed for individual classes or year groups. During the day, thousands of teachers are expected to join rallies staged in cities and towns in England, including London, Manchester, Liverpool Preston, Bolton, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Hull. In Wales rallies are to take place in Cardiff and Wrexham.
    The numbers of schools facing closure or loss of lessons rose sharply in the 24 hours before the strike. In Birmingham, the number almost doubled to 138 schools.
    Widespread disruption is also expected to schools in Leeds, Manchester, Cumbria, Suffolk, Nottinghamshire and inner London. But many other schools will be unaffected - as the strike is only being staged by the NUT without the support of other teachers' unions.
    The NUT is protesting against a pay deal that they say represents an erosion of earnings. Teachers have been offered a three-year deal worth 2.45% this year and then increases of 2.3% in the following years.The NUT is protesting against a pay deal that they say represents an erosion of earnings. Teachers have been offered a three-year deal worth 2.45% this year and then increases of 2.3% in the following years.
    "What we're saying to the government is, if you really do value teachers, then make sure that they're paid at least at the level of inflation - which we take to be the RPI, which is 4.1%," says the union's acting head, Christine Blower."What we're saying to the government is, if you really do value teachers, then make sure that they're paid at least at the level of inflation - which we take to be the RPI, which is 4.1%," says the union's acting head, Christine Blower.
    Pay battlePay battle
    The teachers' union leader says that school staff must not be forced to pay the price in lower earnings for pressures on public sector pay. She says that school staff must not be forced to pay the price in lower earnings for pressures on public sector pay.
    But the government rejects the complaint - arguing that parents will not be sympathetic.But the government rejects the complaint - arguing that parents will not be sympathetic.
    HAVE YOUR SAYThis is not a selfish request for higher wages but a need to keep teachers' pay in line with other graduate professions Jenny, LondonSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThis is not a selfish request for higher wages but a need to keep teachers' pay in line with other graduate professions Jenny, LondonSend us your comments
    "I think parents are bewildered because they hear that the average teacher earns about £34,000," said Schools Minister Jim Knight."I think parents are bewildered because they hear that the average teacher earns about £34,000," said Schools Minister Jim Knight.
    "Their pay has gone up by 19% in real terms since 1997 and that at 2.45% they're getting more than the 2% benchmark for public sector pay last year and that it's a reasonable deal. "Their pay has gone up by 19% in real terms since 1997 and that at 2.45% they're getting more than the 2% benchmark for public sector pay last year and that it's a reasonable deal."
    ¿The three-year pay award was a recommendation of an independent pay review body... we can't re-open that process," said the schools minister. Shadow Schools Minister Nick Gibb condemned the timing of the strike, when "many children have important exams coming up soon and can't afford to miss crucial lessons". Mr Knight said teachers were being rewarded well for doing a good job, but asked the NUT to respect the view of the independent pay review body, which recommended the pay award.
    "I share the anger of parents who see the children missing out on education so close to their exams."
    Leslie Auger, a primary school teacher in Salford, said: "I have been a teacher for 30 years.
    "In that time, teachers have seen periods of boom and bust. We have been paid well but we have had to face three years of low... pay rises and we are now looking at the prospect of another three years of the same."
    Teachers should have a no-strike agreement, argued the Liberal Democrat school spokesman, David Laws.Teachers should have a no-strike agreement, argued the Liberal Democrat school spokesman, David Laws.