Schools close as teachers go out on strike

The NUT has called the strike in protest at what it claims is the government’s unwillingness to negotiate over teachers’ pay structures, pensions and working hours.

“Parents will struggle to understand why the NUT is pressing ahead with strikes over the government’s measures to let heads pay good teachers more. They called for talks to avoid industrial action, we agreed to their request, and talks have been taking place weekly,” a Department of Education spokesman has said.

However Christine Blower, NUT general secretary, has hit out, saying: “Michael Gove needs to change direction. If he does not, he will be presiding over a serious teacher shortage as thousands continue to leave the profession as a result of his policies. It goes without saying this will be bad for not only teachers but the schools and the children they serve.”

Here are the local schools affected:

Burnley: Brunshaw Primary Schoo, closed to pupils in the nursery, reception and Years 2,3,4 and 5; Casterton Primary School; Heasandford Primary School; Rosegrove Nursery School, Blue Group morning and Red Group afternoon will be absent; Springfield Community Primary School, closed to pupils in Years 2,3,4,5 and 6 only; Hameldon Community College, closed to all pupils except Year 11; Rosewood Primary School; The Rose School, closed to various groups, parents/carers of those affected have been notified.

Pendle: Barnoldswick CE Voluntary Controlled primary, closed to pupils in reception and Years 1 and 4 only; Barrowford School; St Thomas’s Primary School, Barrowford; Park High School, Colne; Primet Primary School, Colne; Springfield Primary School, Earby, closed to all pupils except the Lowry Year 2/3 class who will attend all day and pupils in Years 4 and 5 who will attend for the morning only; Lomeshaye Junior School, closed to classes 3M,3E,4W,4C,6R; Marsden Community Primary, closed to pupils in classes RA, 2E, 4AG and 5B; St paul’s CE Primary, Nelson, closed to pupils in reception; Trawden Forest Primary School, closed to pupils in Years 1,2,3 and 4; West Street Community Primary, closed to pupils in nursery, Years 1 and 2.