Schools urged to remain open despite planned strike action

Schools in Windsor and Maidenhead are being urged to stay open despite plans for strike action next month.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) or the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Teachers (NASUWT) are planning the co-ordinated strike effort in response to trade disputes with Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove.

The unions, two of the largest teaching in the UK representing nine out of 10 teachers, have also warned Mr Gove that unless he demonstrates that he intends to negotiate seriously there will also be another one-day, all-out national strike before Christmas.

Royal Borough leader Cllr David Burbage is urging governors and headteachers to do 'everything in their power' to make sure schools remain open during the industrial action planned for Thursday, October 17..

He said: "On previous occasions where industrial action has taken place, some headteachers have had teachers available, as well as teaching assistants, but chose to not offer any education service, inconveniencing children and parents alike.

"It remains a legal requirement upon schools to deliver 190 days of education a year, even if disrupted by strike action. I hope that in October we will all put children first.”

The borough approved the new government policy affecting pay, pensions and working conditions, including the removal of automatic incremental pay rises which the unions dispute, at a meeting of their Employment Panel in July.

During a strike in November, 23 school across the borough fully or partially closed whilst 32 remained open.