This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-28226042

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Schools face disruption as NUT teachers strike Schools face disruption as NUT teachers strike
(35 minutes later)
More than a fifth of England's schools were closed on Thursday during a strike by the National Union of Teachers, according to government figures.More than a fifth of England's schools were closed on Thursday during a strike by the National Union of Teachers, according to government figures.
The strike was over changes to teachers' pay, pensions and conditions. The NUT said most schools had been completely or partially closed.
It was held alongside action by five other public sector unions, but other teachers' unions did not take part. The strike was alongside action by five other public sector unions, but other teachers' unions did not take part.
The Department for Education said there was less disruption to schools than in 2011, the last time teachers and public sector workers staged a joint strike.The Department for Education said there was less disruption to schools than in 2011, the last time teachers and public sector workers staged a joint strike.
It said responses from 96% of schools in England indicated 21% were closed.It said responses from 96% of schools in England indicated 21% were closed.
A spokesman said this was "a huge drop on the 60% of schools which closed the last time unions representing both teachers and support staff like caretakers went on strike". A DfE spokeswoman said this was "a huge drop on the 60% of schools which closed the last time unions representing both teachers and support staff like caretakers went on strike".
The Education Secretary Michael Gove said the strike was not representative of the views of the teaching profession. School closures
"It's only one teaching union that's on strike - the overwhelming majority of teachers who are represented by teaching unions are not on strike," he said, at an international education conference in London. The NUT said the November 2011 strike had been part of a TUC day of action in which five other teaching unions had taken part.
The strike had disrupted lessons and added to childcare costs, said Mr Gove. He blamed the strike on an "ideologically-motivated minority forcing the pace. You have the tail wagging the dog". "As the only teaching union taking action on this occasion, we would obviously not close as many schools," said the union's general secretary, Christine Blower.
Schools were closed across England and Wales, and many were partially open as head teachers make every effort to lessen the disruption to their pupils' education. Thursday's strike was over changes to teachers' pay, pensions and conditions but Education Secretary Michael Gove said it was not representative of the views of the teaching profession.
But many parents had to find emergency childcare or take the day off work. "It's only one teaching union that's on strike. The overwhelming majority of teachers who are represented by teaching unions are not on strike," he said, at an international education conference in London.
The action had disrupted lessons and added to childcare costs, said Mr Gove. He blamed it on an "ideologically-motivated minority forcing the pace. You have the tail wagging the dog".
Schools were closed across England and Wales. Others were partially open as head teachers attempted to lessen the disruption to pupils' education.
Many parents had to find emergency childcare or take the day off work.
In London about 600 schools were known to be affected, with 32 closed in Camden and 83 partly closed or completely shut in Barnet.In London about 600 schools were known to be affected, with 32 closed in Camden and 83 partly closed or completely shut in Barnet.
More than 100 schools were closed or partially closed in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, while in Bradford 105 were affected. Some 146 schools in the Leeds area alone were shut or partially shut. More than 100 schools were closed or partially closed in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, while in Bradford 105 were affected. Some 146 schools in the Leeds area were shut or partially shut.
In Manchester, about two-thirds were closed and most in Liverpool were shut. But in Cheshire and Lancashire, the majority were openIn Manchester, about two-thirds were closed and most in Liverpool were shut. But in Cheshire and Lancashire, the majority were open
In Brighton and Hove, 15 secondary and special schools were shut along with more than 50 primaries. In Brighton and Hove, 15 secondary and special schools were shut, along with over 50 primaries.
Some 79 schools were affected in Norfolk, and 30 in Luton.Some 79 schools were affected in Norfolk, and 30 in Luton.
At least 100 schools were closed in Essex, while in Cambridgeshire 27 were closed and 31 partially closed.At least 100 schools were closed in Essex, while in Cambridgeshire 27 were closed and 31 partially closed.
In Gloucestershire, 58 schools were affected, while in Somerset 15 schools were closed with a further 13 partially open.In Gloucestershire, 58 schools were affected, while in Somerset 15 schools were closed with a further 13 partially open.
But many local authorities were unable to provide figures on closures as many council staff themselves were on strike.But many local authorities were unable to provide figures on closures as many council staff themselves were on strike.
The NUT walkout followed a national strike on 26 March. There were also regional strikes by the NUT and another teachers' union, the NASUWT, in 2013. The NUT walkout followed a national strike on 26 March and regional strikes by the NUT and another teachers' union, the NASUWT, in 2013.
'Deep regret'
Protest rallies and marches were also taking place across England and Wales on Thursday.Protest rallies and marches were also taking place across England and Wales on Thursday.
General secretary Christine Blower said teachers "deeply regretted" having to take strike action. 'Deep regret'
Ms Blower said teachers "deeply regretted" having to take strike action.
"We are aware that this causes problems and disruption for parents and carers. However, despite months in talks with government officials, the real issues of our dispute over pay, pensions and conditions of service have not been addressed," she said."We are aware that this causes problems and disruption for parents and carers. However, despite months in talks with government officials, the real issues of our dispute over pay, pensions and conditions of service have not been addressed," she said.
"Performance-related pay is not suitable for schools, which work in a collaborative fashion."Performance-related pay is not suitable for schools, which work in a collaborative fashion.
"While no teacher expects to work nine to five, many are working 60 hours a week and this is just not sustainable."While no teacher expects to work nine to five, many are working 60 hours a week and this is just not sustainable.
"Expecting teachers to work until 68 for a pension will not only dismay teachers but also parents and pupils. Teaching... does require energy and fitness to cope with classrooms of 30 young children or teenagers.""Expecting teachers to work until 68 for a pension will not only dismay teachers but also parents and pupils. Teaching... does require energy and fitness to cope with classrooms of 30 young children or teenagers."
Ms Blower said the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, could avoid further disruption by "engaging in serious negotiations and making changes to policy". Ms Blower said Mr Gove, could avoid further disruption by "engaging in serious negotiations and making changes to policy".
"Thousands of good, experienced teachers are leaving or considering leaving their job. Ofsted itself says that two in five teachers are leaving the profession in their first five years.""Thousands of good, experienced teachers are leaving or considering leaving their job. Ofsted itself says that two in five teachers are leaving the profession in their first five years."
This was a direct result of the government's policies, she claimed. This was a direct result of government policies, she claimed.
'No justification''No justification'
The DfE said the industrial action damaged the reputation of the profession, adding there was no "justification for further strikes". The DfE spokeswoman said the industrial action had damaged the reputation of the profession, adding there was no "justification for further strikes".
A spokesman said: "The unions asked for talks, we agreed to their request and talks are ongoing. Ministers have also met frequently with the unions and will continue to do so. "The unions asked for talks, we agreed to their request and talks are ongoing. Ministers have also met frequently with the unions and will continue to do so.
"Further strike action will only disrupt parents' lives, hold back children's education and damage the reputation of the profession.""Further strike action will only disrupt parents' lives, hold back children's education and damage the reputation of the profession."
"That is why we are giving teachers more freedoms than ever and cutting unnecessary paperwork and bureaucracy.""That is why we are giving teachers more freedoms than ever and cutting unnecessary paperwork and bureaucracy."
The NUT has a membership in England and Wales of 330,700 and of these, 218,000 members are eligible to take strike action as they are active members of the teachers' pension scheme.The NUT has a membership in England and Wales of 330,700 and of these, 218,000 members are eligible to take strike action as they are active members of the teachers' pension scheme.
Thursday's strike action had been covered by two ballots, the NUT said - one launched in May 2011 and the other in June 2012.Thursday's strike action had been covered by two ballots, the NUT said - one launched in May 2011 and the other in June 2012.
Turnout for the first ballot was 40%, with 92% of these members voting in favour of strikes; in the second, turnout was 27%, with 82.5% voting for strike action.Turnout for the first ballot was 40%, with 92% of these members voting in favour of strikes; in the second, turnout was 27%, with 82.5% voting for strike action.