Both the NEU (National Education Union) and the NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers) who represent the vast majority and primary school teachers and leaders, have balloted their members and had resounding support for strikes, meeting the high turnout criteria required. This in response to a derisory offer from the government, inexplicably less than that offered to Welsh or Scottish teachers, means that there will almost certainly be further strikes. The NEU has named Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May as strike days and says it will re-ballot members for further action in May.
If teachers tell us they intend to take strike action we may be able to restrict closure to those classes only, but teachers are not obliged tell us in advance. We know almost all of our teachers are in the NEU but we are not allowed to ask specific staff if they are members. It is also possible for non-members to join the strike provided they are not in another union that has balloted unsuccessfully. We therefore have great difficulty in predicting which classes we could open. Please therefore assume that we will be closed on the above dates, and we will tell you that we can be open for your child, if and when we have that information.
The class pages on our website have plenty of appropriate activities for children to be able to continue their learning at home during this time.
If your child is entitled to Free School Meals (not just the Universal Free School Meals that all infant children can have, but as a means tested benefit) then we will give you a voucher for £5 for you to provide two lunches.
We regret the inconvenience caused but also recognize that teachers' pay is significantly less in real terms than it was 10 years ago and they have a right to take this action after repeated union requests for a fairer settlement through other channels have failed.