Hampshire headteachers may not know strike impact in advance

Responding to the news that teachers in England and Wales will strike over pay on seven dates in February and March, the county council’s executive member for education, Cllr Steve Forster, said: “The Department for Education has provided guidance to the county’s schools on the implications of the potential industrial action.

“I would reiterate that the National Education Union’s dispute is not with the county council but with the government regarding pay.

“Any decisions to close schools will be for individual headteachers and their governing bodies to make and will be based on their ability to open the school safely, and to maintain a full or revised curriculum.”

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The National Education Union (NEU) announced the national strikes are scheduled for February 1, March 15 and 16.

There are several regional dates also planned, with teachers in the south east also striking on March 2, meaning schools in Hampshire will be impacted by four days of strikes in total.

The NEU is the UK’s largest education union and has said the strike will affect 23,400 schools in England and Wales.

Headteachers are expected to take “all reasonable steps” to keep schools open for as many pupils as possible during the strikes, according to the Department for Education guidance issued.

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However, Cllr Forster warned that headteachers may not know ahead of the strike date the impact it will have on their school, meaning parents may not find out until the day whether a school will be shut.

He said: “It should be noted that headteachers may not be in a position to gauge the potential impact of any planned strike action ahead of time, as staff do not have to declare their intention to participate until the day itself.

“Schools will be advised to declare closures using the county council’s emergency closure system.”