Some schools closed as teachers join picket line for latest industrial action

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) including those working at sixth-form colleges are striking for the fifth time so far this year.

Among those with pickets at the gate this morning include West Walsall E-ACT Academy, in Primley Avenue, Alumwell; St Gregory's Catholic Primary, in Park Road, Smethwick; and Kingsmead School, in Kings Avenue, Hednesford.

NEU Birmingham deputy general secretary Shirley Perry said members had voted at the recent conference to reject the Government's 4.3 per cent offer as four per cent of that would come from school budgets.

"The offer by to teachers in England is abysmal. Members want a fully Government funded rise at the level of inflation or above," Ms Perry said.

Small demonstrations were also held outside the offices of Conservative MPs for Sutton Coldfield Andrew Mitchell and Northfield Gary Sambrook and on Kings Norton green.

"We had a very poor offer from Education Secretary Gillian Keegan. Members voted overwhelmingly not to accept it and to progress with industrial action.

"We've had a really good day with about 60 pickets in Birmingham alone an increase in the number of pickets we had in February, and stands to reason there would have been a good turn out in other parts of the West Midlands as well.

"A lot of schools have dispensation plans in place. We asked our members with Year 11 and Year 13 pupils who they are preparing for exams to negotiate with headteachers, to go in to teach those classes and go out afterwards. a number of members have done that.

"Teachers are conscious of the fact that children have had a difficult time since Covid and do not want children to lose out," she added.

Teachers do not have to say in advance if they are striking and there are no rules about when parents must be told about closures.

Head teachers decide whether to shut schools. Some parents may only be told about a closure on the morning itself, once staff numbers are known.