Teachers' strike set to affect at least 37 Devon schools
Update: Four more schools have confirmed they will be affected this morning. Bringing the total number of schools affected to 40.
The schools are: Great Torrington Bluecoat Church Of England Infant, Thurlestone All Saints Church Of England Primary School, Ilfracombe Church Of England Junior School and Woodbury Salterton Church Of England Primary School.
Woodbury Salterton Church Of England Primary School is partially closed with class one students asked to stay at home. All other classes will continue as normal.
At least 37 schools in Devon will be closed or partially closed as part of the second set of strikes from the NUT and NASUWT teachers unions on Thursday (17 October).
The strike action relates to a dispute with the Government over increasing workloads, plans to bring in performance-related pay and changes to pensions. Any teachers taking part in the strike action will be deducted a day's pay in accordance with Local Authority rules for teachers employed within community and voluntary controlled schools who participate in the strike action.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: “Strike action is a last resort, teachers have been left with no choice but to demonstrate their anger and frustration in the face of their genuine concerns being dismissed and trivialised.
“Teachers of course deeply regret any disruption to children and families. Such action would have been unnecessary had the Secretary of State been prepared to engage in genuine discussions.
“Teachers are asking nothing more of the Secretary of State than to recognise that their pay and conditions of service are directly linked to the provision of high quality education and that their concerns cannot simply be ignored.”
Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “Strike action is never a step that teachers take lightly and we are very aware and concerned about the inconvenience it causes parents. Unfortunately we are faced with a Coalition Government that is refusing to listen to the reasonable demands of the profession. Changes to pay, pensions and workload will make teaching a far less attractive profession, which is not in the long-term interests of teachers and children.
"The Education Secretary should do as his counterparts in Wales have done and enter into meaningful dialogue with the NUT and NASUWT. No teacher takes strike action lightly but the intransigence of this Education Sectary has left teachers with no choice. We cannot stand by and watch our profession be systematically attacked and undermined. There needs to be a change in the Government’s attitude to teachers and education.”
The unions claim that the Government has failed to make any attempt to enter into meaningful talks on the issues and so have elected to take industrial action.
The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove has been very vocal in his opposition to the unions, publically declaring them the ‘enemies of promise’. He also said: "Children lose a day of learning while parents are forced to pay for expensive childcare. I have a simple message for the leaders of miltant teaching unions: please, please, please don't put your ideology before our children's interests."
Mrs Lockwood, Headteacher at the Beacon Church Of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Exmouth, told parents: "The decision to shut our school has not been taken lightly. Where staff have elected to take lawful industrial action, I have no choice but to take appropriate steps to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all pupils. Thank you for your understanding."
A spokesman for Devon County Council said: "We have urged schools to stay open if they can to ensure the continuity of their children's education and the least disruption to families."
How is the strike affecting you? Have you had trouble finding alternative childcare or have you decided to embrace the opportunity and take a day's holiday to spend with the children?
Are you a teacher and on strike or have you decided not to take part in strike action? Let us know your thoughts. Whether you are a parent, a teacher or a child, We would love to hear from you on the subject. Please email ted@thedailyuk.com
School Closures on 17 October due to strike action:
Brixington Primary School Brixington Lane, Exmouth - Partially closed
Mill Water Community School Honiton Bottom Road, Littletown, Honiton, Devon, EX14 2ER Closed
Marland School Petersmarland, Torrington - Closed
St Peter's Church of England Aided School Quarry Lane, Exeter - Closed
Countess Wear Community School Glasshouse Lane, Exeter - Partially closed: Main school closed due to strike action, Nursery will be open as normal
Woodlands Park Primary School Abbot Road, Cornwood Road, Ivybridge - Partially closed; only Foundation classes and Key Stage 1 will be open.
Tidcombe Primary School Marina Way, Tiverton Closed
Woodbury Church Of England Primary School Castle Lane, Woodbury - Partially closed (Only Oak and Maple Classes are open – Maths Club Cancelled)
Stoke Gabriel Primary School School Hill, Stoke Gabriel, Totnes - Closed
The Beacon Church Of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Exmouth - Closed
Horrabridge Community Primary School Walkhampton Road, Horrabridge, Yelverton - Partially closed; Reception Class open (1 class), Years 1 to 6 Closed (6 classes)
Tavistock Community College Crowndale Road, Tavistock - Closed
Exeter Road Community Primary School, Exeter Road, Exmouth - Closed
Horwood And Newton Tracey Community Primary School Lovacott, Newport, Barnstaple - Closed
Stoke Hill Infant Stoke Hill, Exeter - Partially closed; The nursery will remain open
Tiverton High Bolham Road, Tiverton, Devon - Partially closed; The school will be open for Year 11 students only. School transport will be available
Southbrook School Bishop Westall Road, Exeter - Closed
Stoke Hill Junior School Stoke Hill, Exeter - Closed
Kingskerswell Church Of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Coffinswell Lane, Kingskerswell, Newton Abbot - Closed
Alphington Primary School Wheatsheaf Way, Alphington, Exeter - Closed
Tavistock Community Primary School Plymouth Road, Tavistock - Closed
Newtown Primary School Clifton Road, Newtown, Exeter - Partially closed; Oak Class, Maple Class and Sycamore Class closed for the day. Elm / Chestnut and Beech Classes remain open
The Park Community School, Barnstaple Park Lane, Barnstaple - Closed
Princetown Primary Princetown, Yelverton - Closed
Withycombe Raleigh Church Of England Primary School, Withycombe Village Road, Withycombe Raleigh, Exmouth - Closed
The Lampard Community School, St Johns Lane, Barnstaple - Partially closed; Middle school and Upper school closed
Canada Hill Community Primary School Abbotsridge Drive, Ogwell, Newton Abbot - Partially closed; Oak Class and all Key Stage 2 Classes Closed for the day. Maple/Elm/Willow and Holly Classes remain open.
Whipton Barton Infants and Nursery School Hill Lane, Exeter - Closed
Whipton Barton Junior School Hill Lane, Exeter - Closed
Newton Poppleford Primary School School Lane, Newton Poppleford, Sidmouth - Partially closed; School closed for year 6 - open as normal for all other classes
Honiton Primary School, Clapper Lane, Honiton - Partially closed; Dotty Ducks and Daisy Dragonflies will be closed for the morning only. Years 1,2, and 6 will be closed all day. 3DH will be closed. 3NL will be open as normal. Years 4 and 5 will be open as normal
Pinhoe Church Of England Primary School Harrington Lane, Pinhoe, Exeter - Closed
St James' School Summer Lane, Exeter - Partially closed; School will be open for Year 11 students only
Colyton Primary School West Street, Colyton - Closed
West Exe Children's Centre Cowick Street, Exeter - Closed
Milton Abbot School Milton Abbot, Tavistock - Partially closed; Green and Blue classes will be closed, but the rest of the school will stay open
The Grove Primary School The Grove, Totnes, Devon - Closed
Information correct as of 16 October (schools to reopen on Friday 18 October)
