Tens of thousands of teachers have voted for seven days of rolling strikes in February and March.
Schools in Swindon and the rest of the South West will be affected for just four of these days as different regions will strike on different days.
The industrial action has come after nine out of 10 members of The National Education Union (NEU) – the UK’s largest education union – voted to strike.
The NEU, which represents teaching staff, supply and agency teachers and teaching assistants, is calling for a 12 per cent pay increase in line with inflation and for the pay increases to be fully funded, so that it doesn’t come out of school budgets however the government have so far agreed 5 per cent.
Following the increase of 5 per cent offered in 2022, a teacher outside of London will earn between £28,000 – £38,810 with those assessed as highly competent receiving between £40,625 and £43,685.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, has said the strike will be damaging to children, who have already missed out on class time during the pandemic.
“I’m extremely disappointed, and disappointed for the parents and children, mostly. Children have been through so much through the pandemic,” she said.
The first strike will be on February 1st in England and Wales, with more than 23,000 schools expected to be affected.
When and where are the strikes taking place?
The strikes could affect both primary and secondary schools, as well as sixth form colleges, across England and Wales.
They will take place nationally and regionally on different days.
1st February: Schools in England and Wales
14th February: Schools in Wales
28th February: North and north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber regions in England
1st March: East Midlands, West Midlands, and the NEU’s eastern region
2nd March: South-east and South-west England and London
15th and 16th March: Two days of strike action across England and Wales
