Bolton schools to shut as teachers go on strike over pay

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) are taking part in national strike action.

Of the schools The Bolton News spoke to 50 per cent said they would be shut or partially shut to pupils.

A number of schools refused to disclose whether they would be shut or not.

Julia Simpkins, a Bolton-based NEU campaigner, said: “It’s very sad. "Teachers don’t want to go on strike, teachers become teachers because they want to work with children.

“It’s a caring profession. But there is a limit, and the number of teachers that we’re seeing leaving the teaching profession is just horrendous.

“I spoke to somebody just last week who had been working in a school as a teaching assistant and decided she would like to train as a teacher.

NEU will be striking today, forcing dozens of schools across the borough to close or partially close (Image: NEU)

“When she said to the school she’d like to train as a teacher, they said ‘oh we’ll get you a class then.

“She thought ‘I only just said to you I’m thinking of doing training’, they’re so desperate to get people in front of a class.

“I did three years teacher training, and that first year in front of a class is daunting.

“To keep 30 children engaged and occupied all day every day is no small ask, and to expect people to do that when they are just starting training is wrong.

Read more: Bolton benefits office workers to strike against 'scandal' of 'low pay'

“Within the first five years, teachers are leaving in droves and the reasons they cite are workload and poor pay.”

Picket lines are expected to be outside around 20 schools in the morning, with striking teachers from Bolton travelling to Manchester for a rally just after 11am.

One Bolton teacher, who is striking and did not want to be named, said: “It’s the lack of resources for schools, it’s not just about pay.

“The children have been sold short across the board by the Government and we need more investment.

“They talk about the great part we played during Covid keeping schools open, but we get nothing, all we got was negativity from the public, like ridiculous media reports about teachers sitting in the garden drinking wine at work.”

The teacher who has been in the profession for more 15 years, said: “It’s been going on for over 10 years, we can’t attract people to start in the profession, there’s a teacher shortage.

“People are leaving within the first five years as they realise they can gain more outside it.”

Read more: The Bolton primary schools that will be shut as teachers walk out in dispute over pay

Read more: Bolton benefits office workers to strike against 'scandal' of 'low pay'

Lecturers from The University of Bolton will also be striking today (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "Schools in Bolton will be following the national guidance and are expected to stay open wherever possible.

“If large numbers of their staff are on strike, then some schools may move to online working.

“However, individual schools will contact parents directly if this is the case.”

Here are the secondary schools in Bolton that are confirmed as closing:

Essa Academy – Partially closed: a letter on the school’s website says the academy will be closed to Years 7-10, with some Year 11 students allowed to attend due to impending deadlines.

Harper Green – Partially closed: The school said it would be closed to all year groups besides Year 11, as they have exams.

Kearsley Academy – Partially closed: Year 11 students will be in, alongside any students who are vulnerable. All other classes are suspended tomorrow.

Rivington and Blackrod – Partially closed, but the school said they won’t know to what extent until tomorrow.

Read more: 'We've been pushed into this!': Bolton teachers to join strikes as dates revealed

Sharples – Partially closed: Whole year groups of Year 7 and Year 11 will be in, alongside anyone who is a critical worker and vulnerable children.

Smithills – Partially closed: Vulnerable children will be allowed in, the school specified that all parents have been made aware of this, and that all children who are off have been provided with work by the school.

Turton - Closed: The school remains open to vulnerable students, with 60 places having been made available, but is otherwise closed.

Westhoughton – Partially closed: The school has enough teachers to cover a Year 11 exam that will be taking place in the morning, and for a small group of children. Everyone else will take part in remote online learning.

Here are the primary schools that are confirmed to be closing or partially closing:

All Saints CE – Closing to Years 3 and 6

Beaumont – Closing to all classes, but a spokesperson said they ‘have invited in a few vulnerable pupils’

Clarendon – Will be open, but ‘a few classes’ will be affected

Eagley Junior – One year group won’t be going in

Jobcentre workers are set to strike in Bolton as well (Image: Google Maps)

Eagley Infant – One year group won’t be going in

Hardy Mill – Nursery and three classes will be closing, with three other classes affected and five classes open

Harwood Meadows – Headteacher Julian Bevan said: “We will be partially closed on Wednesday. We are open to Year 1.”

Holy Infant and St Anthony RC – ‘A couple’ of classes will be closing

Kearsley West – Partially closing, with ‘most classes’ off

Leverhulme – Partially closing, wouldn’t give any further information

The Orchards – This school has two of each year group, with one class of each year group being off and one in. Their reception class will also be in.

Sacred Heart RC – A letter published on their website specifies eight classes as set to be closing: RB, 1E, 2A, 2D, 5B, 5A, 6B and 6E.

SS Osmund and Andrew RC – Partially opening, with two classes closing

SS Simon and Jude CE – Partially opening, ‘around a third’ of classes will be open

St James Daisy Hill CE – Partially closing

St John’s CE Kearsley – Partially closing

Washacre – Partially closing, with their Resource Provision and Year 3 classes remaining open