Published: 24/04/2008 00:00 - Updated: 25/04/2008 09:25

Schools hit by teachers strike

by RYAN MERRIMAN

A TEACHER strike has crippled schools and forced many in Nuneaton, Bedworth and North Warwickshire to close.

Today many parents have been forced to find alternative childcare arrangements as the doors to many schools have been shut as members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) are staging industrial action.

As a result of teachers protesting about a pay increase, many headteachers have had to take the decision to cancel all lessons.

The move will have an impact in GCSE studies for Year 11 students, but some schools are making sure that they are open to those who are taking their exams this summer.

A total of 14 schools are closed today and the information published on the Warwickshire County Council Website, and they are:

* Ash Green School and Arts College

* Chilvers Coton Community Infant School

* Croft Junior School

* Etone School and Technology College

* Exhall Cedars Infant School

* Gun Hill Infant School

* Kingsbury School

* Nicholas Chamberlaine Technology College

* Oak Wood Primary and Secondary School

* Race Leys Infant School

* Stockingford Junior School

* St James CofE Junior School

* St Michael's CofE Primary School

* Wembrook Primary School

Some schools will be battling on during the industrial action and just partially closing to some students throughout the day. They are:

* George Eliot Community School and Business and Enterprise College

* Goodyers End Primary School

* Hartshill School

* Milby Primary School

* Park Lane Primary School

* Queen Elizabeth School and Sports College

* Race Meadow Primary School

Normal service will resume once again on Friday after the one day strike is finished.

Not only are members of the NUT staging strike action, but also college lecturers, who are members of the University and College Union, will also be walking out today.

As reported in the Heartland Evening News this is set to impact on lessons at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College. But assurances were made by Marion Plant, principal of the college said that everything would be done to make the day run as smoothly as possible.

Steve Sinnot, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "NUT members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the campaign to stop cuts in the real pay of teachers. Members voted 3:1 in favour of the one day strike.

"The government is wrong to determine a pay increase for teachers below the rate of inflation. The rate of inflation is presently 4.1 per cent and teachers will receive for 2008 2.45 per cent.

"The consequences of real term cuts are familiar to us. They were a feature of the 'boom and bust' years before 1997. In that period schools suffered from recruitment and retention problems - there were teacher shortages and morale was low.

"The NUT wants no return to those bad old days. To bring the best young graduates into the profession, teachers salaries' need to be competitive with those for graduates in the private sector. Our children deserve the best.

"Young teachers need to be treated fairly. Paying them at levels which are not competitive with those of other graduate professions and making them unable to take even their first step on the housing ladder will damage recruitment.

"The government needs to think again and ensure that salaries at least keep pace in line with inflation and that there is recognition of the continuing workload pressures on teachers."

For further information visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/schoolclosures.