Teachers across the UK are being asked if they want to strike over pay.
Some teachers in Scotland have already voted in favour of industrial action.
Why are teachers threatening to strike?
Demands vary, but most unions are calling for an above-inflation pay rise. They also want schools to be given extra money to cover the increase.
How much do teachers get paid?
The starting salary for teachers in England is due to rise to £30,000 a year by September 2023.
In the last school year, state school classroom teachers in England were paid average of £38,982. This compares with £39,009 in Wales and £40,026 in Scotland. Northern Ireland’s government did not provide a comparable figure.
For head teachers the average salary in England last year was £74,095. For other leadership teachers it was £57,117.
How is teacher pay decided?
Experts in England advise the government about teacher pay, based on vacancies, shortages in individual subjects, and the competition from other graduate jobs.
As with all extra public spending, money allocated to England determines what funding is awarded to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
When will we know if strikes are happening?
Teachers from five unions in Northern Ireland have already begun action short of a strike – affecting school meetings and administrative tasks.
Other ballots are still open:
- The NASUWT ballot, covering staff in schools and sixth form colleges in England, Scotland, and Wales, closes on 9 January
- The NEU is the largest education union in the UK. Its ballot covers about 450,000 members in England and Wales, although not all are teachers, and closes on 13 January
- Members of the NAHT union, representing head teachers and other school leaders in England and Wales, are being balloted, but no dates have been announced
- The NEU says it may co-ordinate action with the NASUWT and NAHT
- The ASCL, representing school and college leaders, wants a “fully-funded pay increase”, but isn’t currently planning a formal ballot
NEU members who teach at sixth form colleges in England have already voted to go on strike over pay on 30 November.
Will schools close if teachers strike?
In most schools in England, it’s up to head teachers. There are no minimum staffing rules, so heads have to judge whether staying open is possible.
Welsh head teachers also decide, in consultation with local authorities. In Scotland, it’s the local council’s responsibility.
Northern Irish schools should seek approval for exceptional closures from the government. However, there has been no functioning government at Stormont since February 2022.
Teachers and other members of education unions joined a cost-of-living demonstration in London this summer
If my child’s school closes, can I get time off work?
But you won’t necessarily get paid under this rule, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales.
The Department for Business couldn’t confirm that school strikes would qualify as a childcare “emergency”.
It advised carers to check their contract for more specific guidance.
It may also be possible to take unpaid parental leave, but this needs to be arranged with your employer. It normally requires 21 days’ notice and must be taken in week-long blocks.
