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Teachers from NEU union to strike in England and Wales Teachers from NEU union to strike in England and Wales
(30 minutes later)
Teachers have been striking in Scotland already - and now schools in England and Wales will be affected too 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?
Teachers will strike over pay in England and Wales on seven dates in February and March, the National Education Union (NEU) has announced.Teachers will strike over pay in England and Wales on seven dates in February and March, the National Education Union (NEU) has announced.
National strikes are scheduled for 1 February, 15 and 16 March. There are several regional dates too.National strikes are scheduled for 1 February, 15 and 16 March. There are several regional dates too.
The NEU is the largest education union in the UK, and balloted about 300,000 teacher and support staff members in England and Wales.The NEU is the largest education union in the UK, and balloted about 300,000 teacher and support staff members in England and Wales.
The education secretary says she plans to meet union leaders later this week.The education secretary says she plans to meet union leaders later this week.
Head teachers are expected to take "all reasonable steps" to keep schools open for as many pupils as possible during a strike, according to Department for Education guidance.Head teachers are expected to take "all reasonable steps" to keep schools open for as many pupils as possible during a strike, according to Department for Education guidance.
Will teachers' strikes close schools?Will teachers' strikes close schools?
NASUWT teaching union fails to meet ballot turnoutNASUWT teaching union fails to meet ballot turnout
NI teaching unions consider joint strike action Teachers and school heads back strikes in Wales
Meanwhile, head teachers will not strike in England after a ballot by the NAHT union failed to meet the legally-required 50% turnout threshold.Meanwhile, head teachers will not strike in England after a ballot by the NAHT union failed to meet the legally-required 50% turnout threshold.
The union says it is considering re-running the ballot because of alleged disruption caused by postal strikes.The union says it is considering re-running the ballot because of alleged disruption caused by postal strikes.
NAHT members in Wales will take industrial action, however, after the ballot there met the required turnout.NAHT members in Wales will take industrial action, however, after the ballot there met the required turnout.
When are NEU teachers striking?When are NEU teachers striking?
Action will take place both nationally and regionally on the following days:Action will take place both nationally and regionally on the following days:
1 February: All schools in England and Wales1 February: All schools in England and Wales
14 February: All schools in Wales14 February: All schools in Wales
28 February: North and north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber28 February: North and north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber
1 March: East Midlands, West Midlands, and the NEU's eastern region1 March: East Midlands, West Midlands, and the NEU's eastern region
2 March: South-east and south-west England, and London2 March: South-east and south-west England, and London
15 and 16 March: Two-day strike of all schools in England and Wales15 and 16 March: Two-day strike of all schools in England and Wales
The NEU says any individual school will only be affected on a maximum of four out of the seven dates.The NEU says any individual school will only be affected on a maximum of four out of the seven dates.
Most state school teachers in England and Wales had a 5% rise in 2022.Most state school teachers in England and Wales had a 5% rise in 2022.
But the NEU has said the 5% pay rise offered to members actually equates to a pay cut, because of high inflation rates of over 10%.But the NEU has said the 5% pay rise offered to members actually equates to a pay cut, because of high inflation rates of over 10%.
Matthew Tyers, a PE teacher from Sheffield, said he was conflicted about voting yes to strike action Kevin Courtney, the NEU's joint general secretary, says 90% of votes in England and 92% in Wales supported strike action.
Matthew Tyers, who voted yes to strike action, has been a PE teacher for seven years at E-ACT Parkwood Academy in Sheffield. "We really don't want to have any strikes, we want the government to listen and sit down and talk," he told BBC.
He says members are particularly concerned by the number of teachers leaving the profession.
'Terrible decision to have to make'
Matthew Tyers, who voted yes to strike action in the NEU ballot, has been a PE teacher for seven years at E-ACT Parkwood Academy in Sheffield.
He says he was "massively conflicted" about voting yes, as he teaches a Year 11 group who are preparing for their GCSEs.He says he was "massively conflicted" about voting yes, as he teaches a Year 11 group who are preparing for their GCSEs.
"It is such a terrible decision to have to make, a heart-over-head sort of decision," he tells the BBC."It is such a terrible decision to have to make, a heart-over-head sort of decision," he tells the BBC.
Mr Tyers believes nothing will change unless "some significant action" is taken. Matthew Tyers, a PE teacher from Sheffield, believes nothing will change unless "some significant action" is taken
He recently had a baby with his partner and has noticed the cost of heating the house and food bills going up. Mr Tyers recently had a baby with his partner and has noticed the rise in heating and food prices.
He says he hopes the government will now listen and offer a "fair and equitable pay rise so that we can come to work not worrying about bills, gas, [or] electric but we can come with our sole focus - of improving students' lives". He says he hopes the government will now listen and offer a "fair and equitable pay rise" so that instead of coming to work "worrying about bills", teachers can focus on "improving students' lives".
Downing Street is calling on teachers to discuss their concerns rather than "withdraw education from children".Downing Street is calling on teachers to discuss their concerns rather than "withdraw education from children".
"We would continue to call on teachers not to strike, given we know what substantial damage was caused to children's education during the pandemic and it's certainly not something we want to see repeated," the prime minister's spokesman said earlier on Tuesday."We would continue to call on teachers not to strike, given we know what substantial damage was caused to children's education during the pandemic and it's certainly not something we want to see repeated," the prime minister's spokesman said earlier on Tuesday.
Birchfields Primary head teacher Samantha Offord, regional secretary for the NAHT union in Manchester, says teaching is in the worst crisis she has seen.
She says recruiting teachers and teaching assistants is becoming more difficult.
"I've appointed teaching assistants at interview and then when they found out what the pay is actually going to be, they have come back to me and said 'no, I can't work for that money,'" she adds.
Head teacher Samantha Offord says schools could soon be struggling to provide a satisfactory education
She told the BBC that this is the first time she has been aware of teachers really struggling, with some having to rearrange mortgages or sell their cars to make ends meet.
It is up to head teachers to decide whether or not to close a school on days affected by striking staff.
Ms Offord says her decision will depend on the number of staff available, as safety is a priority.
She will be consulting with both the union and the local authority over the coming days.
"Nobody wants to go on strike but if it continues as it's going, schools will be struggling to provide a satisfactory education - and none of us want to be in that position," she adds.
The NEU announcement comes days after members of the NASUWT union in England and Wales voted to strike - but it failed to meet the turnout threshold to take industrial action.The NEU announcement comes days after members of the NASUWT union in England and Wales voted to strike - but it failed to meet the turnout threshold to take industrial action.
Teachers have already been striking in Scotland since before Christmas. On Monday, 16 days of rolling action began, with schools in two local authorities taking part each day.Teachers have already been striking in Scotland since before Christmas. On Monday, 16 days of rolling action began, with schools in two local authorities taking part each day.
In Northern Ireland, teachers from five unions are continuing to take action short of a strike.In Northern Ireland, teachers from five unions are continuing to take action short of a strike.
Are you taking part in the strikes? Are you a parent or guardian who is affected by industrial action? You can share your experiences by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you taking part in the strikes? Are you a parent or guardian who is affected by industrial action? You can share your experiences by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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