Teachers’ strike closes 1,000 of region’s schools

Figures obtained from 12 councils across the region showed at least 1,043 schools were affected by the industrial action carried out by the National Union of Teachers and NASUWT in a dispute over pay and pension reforms and workload.

The actual figure is likely be much higher, however, as in many cases local authorities did not how some schools had been affected.

There were more than 200 schools closed or partially closed in Leeds and almost 150 more in Sheffield.

The two cities were the focal point of the regional strike with two major rallies as hundreds of teachers took to the streets to make their voices heard.

It was the latest regional strike carried out by the two unions with action also being held across the Midlands and East of England affecting 49 different council areas nationally.

The action will be followed by strikes in other regions in a fortnight and a major national walkout before Christmas.

Leeds NUT branch secretary Patrick Murphy also suggested more strikes could be launched if necessary.

Addressing the crowds at the Leeds rally yesterday he said: “We don’t strike lightly. We do it because we have to. Ninety per cent of schools in Leeds are closed or partially closed today because of your action. This could have been averted if Michael Gove had sat down and acted reasonably but he hasn’t.

“There is absolutely no justification in what Michael Gove and this Government are doing to schools.

“Despite how difficult it is, we can have an impact and we can win. If we don’t fight, we will most certainly lose and will be walked all over. Exhausted and demoralised teachers are not good for schools or for children.

“We are standing up for ourselves, for parents, children and schools and the people whose only hope for an escape and a future is education.”

The dispute centres on changes to public sector workers’ pensions which unions say will see teachers working longer, paying in more and getting less and also on planned changes to the way teachers are paid.

The unions object to plans to scrap national pay agreements, remove pay rises based on length of service and introduce performance-related pay.

A sea of people, pickets and banners took over Leeds city centre yesterday as hundreds of teachers took to the streets.

Crowds chanted and marched down The Headrow, Briggate and Vicar Lane before taking part in a rally at Victoria Gardens in Leeds city centre.

There were similar scenes in Sheffield where activists marched from outside City Hall to Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

Allerton High School teacher Jane Neal joined colleagues to picket outside the school grounds before attending the rally in Leeds.

She said: “It is great to see so many people out today. There has been lots of people in cars beeping their horns and saying they understand. It has been a largely positive response.

“It has been a very positive experience and we are all united. There are all ages involved.

“When I signed up for teaching 25 years ago, my contract was very positive.

“I knew I wasn’t going to get the same pay as my friends in other jobs but I loved what I did and I still do.

“But Michael Gove is messing with that contract and isn’t giving me a say in it. I am worried about the future generations of teachers. They won’t want to stay long.

“We already have a 50 per cent leave of people in the teaching profession. It is not a job for life any more and that is not good enough.”

The Department for Education has criticised the unions for going ahead with the strikes. A spokeswoman said a recent poll found that 61 per cent of those questioned backed linking teachers’ pay to performance – a key Government reform currently being introduced, adding that the survey also found that majority of respondents were opposed to the walkouts or thought teachers should not be allowed to strike.

“All strikes will do is disrupt parents’ lives, hold back children’s education and damage the reputation of the profession,” the spokeswoman added.