Bolton teachers to walk out causing schools to close

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) are  also set to strike next Tuesday (May 2).

The strikes are over concerns about pay and conditions.

This comes after 98 per cent of National Education Union (NEU) members in England voted to reject a Government pay offer.

Many state sector schools will be either shut or partially shut to pupils.

With some schools switching to online learning and vouchers being provided to pupils who are on free school meals.

Westhoughton High School for example will be closed to pupils from Year Seven to Year 10.

Bolton teacher and NEU member, Robert Poole, said: “Every school will be affected in some way, which will range from fully closed to only partially affected.

“But what we have done as a union is that we’ll work with headteachers to make sure the exam classes, Year 11 and Year 13, can still come into school to make sure they’re not missing out.

“No one wants to go on strike, no one wants any people missing out on education. But what we think is if we don’t go on strike, it will be worse in the long run.

“We’re not just striking about pay, it’s also about education, which without being fully funded, will get worse.”

He continued: “We’re always hopeful that they (the Government) will see sense and get round the table to negotiate.

“It’s not just the NEU, but the National Association of Head Teachers and Association of School and College Leaders are looking to ballot strike action.

“We’re united in our conviction that what we do need is these discussions. We have seen more picket lines each time.”

Robert added: “I think it’s really important to get our message out there to the public and let them know our side of the story.

“And to show the other workers we’re all in this together. There have been attacks on nurses, with the Government threatening legal action on them.

Robert Poole of Bolton NEU (Image: UGC)

“Attacks on right to strike. Really important especially with elections coming up to get our message out.”

Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), has issued a plea for ministers to re-enter talks with education unions ahead of strikes due to take place in schools across England this week.

Ms Cruddas said: “Today we call on Government to come back to the negotiating table to find a resolution and return some certainty to classrooms ahead of this crucial period of GCSEs, A-levels, and primary Sats.

“Talking is the only way this dispute will be resolved and ensure that children, who are our first priority, can get back to learning.”

A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said: “We have made a fair and reasonable teacher pay offer to the unions, which recognises teachers’ hard work and commitment. Next year, school funding will be at its highest level in history – per pupil, in real terms.

“We know schools are facing increased costs like energy and staffing, and are providing an extra £2 billion in each of the next two years to cover those costs. As a result, school funding is set to rise faster than forecast inflation in both 2023/24 and 2024/25.”