Are teachers going on strike and will schools close? | The Sun

SCHOOLS in England and Wales could be the next to be hit by the strike action sweeping the country.

Closure of schools could cause untold strain on families as working parents have to try and find care for their children if voting opts for industrial action.

Are teachers going on strike?

Teacher's unions all over the country are currently having ballots on potential industrial action.

Pupils could see their schools close if the latest round of strikes go ahead, with members of the National Association of Head Teachers and National Education Union (NASUWT) currently voting.

The NEU, the largest education union in the UK with some 300,000 members, is also considering action.

The collective ballots will all be closed by January 13, 2023.

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Why are teachers going on strike?

The disagreement all stems from teacher's pay.

Scotland offered a 5% pay increase, which was dismissed, with teachers wanting around 10%.

NASUWT are calling for a fully-funded 12% pay award for 2022/23, stating that with inflation above 11%, the current offer is nothing more than a pay-cut.

Most state-school teachers in England and Wales have received a 5% pay increase this year.

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Teachers in Northern Ireland have been offered a 3.2% pay increase over the last two years.

Where are teacher strikes taking place?

Scotland already has a number of dates in January where industrial action is planned.

Sixteen days of strike-action has been agreed for the start of 2023 which will affect many areas.

It remains to be seen what the outcomes of the ongoing ballots is in England and Wales before we can understand fully how schools will be affected.

Will schools close if teachers go on strike?

The decisions will rest with the following:

• Scotland: local councils decide.
• England: head teachers decide, no minimum staffing rules.
• Wales: head teachers decide in consultation with local authorities.

You are entitled to time off in normal arrangements are broken but it would be up to the employer if they would pay for this time off.

How much do teachers get paid?

New qualified teachers (NQT) start with a pay scale ranging from  £28,000 to £34,502 depending on location.

The Scottish equivalent of an NQT is a probationer, who, unlike an NQT, is initially employed on a probationary contract.

The current probationer's salary is £27,498.

In Northern Ireland, the minimum salary on the main pay scale is £24,137.

The pay scales for qualified teachers are split into main and upper pay ranges, which differ between countries across the UK:

• England (excluding London) and Wales – £28,000 to £38,810
• London – £29,344 to £40,083 (fringes), £32,407 to £43,193 (outer), £34,502 to £44,756 (inner)
• Scotland – £33,729 to £42,336
• Northern Ireland – £24,137 to £41,094

The highest teaching salaries across the UK are paid to headteachers:

• England (excluding London) and Wales – £50,122 to £123,057
• London – £51,347 to £131,353
• Scotland – £52,350 to £99,609
• Northern Ireland – £47,381 to £117,497

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