This week, members of the UK’s largest teaching union are walking out to mark their summer-term strike action, after previously claiming demands for a substantive pay rise fell “on stony ground”.
The National Education Union (NEU) is continuing its dispute with the Government over pay, marking the seventh and eighth days of industrial action by teachers this year.
When are the next teachers strikes?
Teachers represented by the NEU will wall out on Wednesday 5 July and Friday 7 July.
It is part of continued action that could continue into the next academic year. The NEU has staged five national and three regional strike days this year, and members are currently being re-balloted to extend their strike mandate for the remainder of the year.
Which schools will be closed?
Many schools are expected to close or partially close. Parents and guardians should be informed if their child’s individual school will stay open.
Government advice states: “In some schools there may be little or no impact from strike action but in others it may mean that changes are made to the way they operate. Schools will usually let parents know how they are being affected but if you are unsure, you should contact your child’s school.
“Unless school leaders inform you that the school is closed or cannot provide a place, then you still have a legal duty to send your children to school unless they are unwell.”
The relevant links below show the full list of schools closed in each county this week:
- Buckinghamshire
- Berkshire
- Cambridgeshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Herefordshire
- Kent
- Norfolk
- Shropshire
- Suffolk
- Warwickshire
Mandeville School, Aylesbury, Basildon Church of England Primary School, Berkshire, All Saints Interchurch Academy, Cambridgeshire and Westfield School, Herefordshire are among the schools that are closed on 5 July.
The schools in Cornwall are staying open on 5 July, and in Devon seven are partially closed. Hertfordshire Council and schools in London advise messaging them direct.
Many schools are expected to be closed again on Friday 7 July as teachers take their second day striking this week.
How to check if your school is closed
Schools that are closed today or Friday should have informed parents or guardians either by email or a notice on their website.
Local council sites should also have the information, but contacting the school directly is the best way to double check.
Why are teachers striking?
In September 2022 teachers received a 5.4 per cent average pay rise and the Government said its best and final offer was to further increase a pay rise by 4.5 per cent. Teachers were also offered a £1,000 one-off payment for the current academic year.
The NEU rejected this offer, and it has been reported the body is recommending a 6.5 per cent increase in pay. Teachers salaries in England fell by an average of 11 per cent between 2010 and 2022 and they are calling for a pay deal more in line with inflation.
The NEU remain frustrated at the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, for failing to announce an improved pay offer.
When are the next walkouts?
It has been more than five months since teachers first took to the picket lines and with their re-ballot, strikes could continue into the next academic year and 2024.
This walkout marks the sixth national strike by members of the NEU and as a result, end-of-term events such as sports day, concerts and school trips could be disrupted.
All four school unions have strike ballots under way. The result of them could see more activity in the coming weeks as members of the union prepare to strike over pay.
