23/4/2008

Local News in Fleet

Teachers strike for first time in 21 years

Thousands of pupils across Hampshire and Surrey could be turned away from lessons tomorrow as teachers take their first industrial strike action in 21 years.

The nationwide strike by the Nation Union of Teachers (NUT) is likely to cripple schools across the country and disrupt pupil’s studies a month before national exams start.

The strike has been planned for straight after the Easter holidays and many left heads scrambling to assess the impact the strike would have on their schools.

As well as the disruption to pupil’s timetables the strike has inconvenienced parents who have had to make childcare arrangements or take time off work to look after their children themselves.

John Gawthorpe, NUT spokesman for Hampshire and Head master of Mayhill Junior School, Odiham said: “Hampshire’s schools will be affected differently depending on the number of NUT members they have.

“For instance for Connaught School in Aldershot their year 11’s have gone on study leave, their year 8 and 10’s are coming in one period later and the year 8’s are leaving a period earlier.

“Whilst in Farnborough the Samuel Cody School has closed completely for the day and Yately comprehensive is only having its years 11-13 come in.”

A spokeswoman for Hampshire County Council said that the Connaught School had since decided to close completely.

The NUT called the strike after an increasingly acrimonious dispute with the government over pay increases for teachers.

The government and the NUT disagree over whether the increase is in line with inflation.

Since 2003 the government have used the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to measure inflation which doesn’t take the interest on mortgages into account.

The NUT uses the older, more inclusive retail Price Index system (RPI), which does take mortgage payments into account.

According to the government’s CPI measurement of 2.5% the teachers pay rise of 2.45% is in line with inflation.

The NUT says that this is far below the 4.1% RPI calculation for inflation, which they believe to be a more realistic figure.

They have pointed to the private sector where the majority of pay increases are around 4%.  

Teacher and NUT school rep at All Hallows school, Farnham, Zoë Noonan said: “We hope that the strike won’t effect the pupil’s studies too much.

“They’re generally happy to get a day off school, but when we explain to them why we are striking they are supportive.

“They understand that they want to have good teachers and hate having cover-teachers. 

Mr Gawthorpe said: “In my 30 years experience the NUT doesn’t take industrial action in a cold and calculating way but it is more a out of a reaction when it is angry about something.

“This time we are angry that the government has twice ignored the recommendations of the School Teachers Review Body (STRB) and has awarded teachers below inflation pay rises for the three years running.

“On top of this younger teachers are incensed that the government has them paying 4.1% interest on their student loans (the interest on student loans is set in line with inflation), and only increases their wage by 2.45%.

The government is using different rates for the same sums. We are in a situation now where omore than 50% of young teachers don’t last four years in the profession.

“There has been a head of steam building up on this issue and it is not just going to go away and I cannot rule out future strike action.

“There was a sort of recruitment gap in the 80’s and 90’s for teachers so most of the teachers we have are young or in their 50’s.

“As the generation in their 50’s start to retire in the next five or six years then we will depend more on the younger teachers to stay and take on more responsibility and promotions earlier in their career.

“If we don’t sort these problems out now the education system will be in a sorry state in 10 years time.”

Laurence Foley, NUT representative at Tomlinscote School added: "44 of our 45 NUT members have decided to strike.

"We have a lot of newly qualified teachers and they are not used to taking industrial action of this kind but I think there will be more to come in the future.”

“This is not a knee jerk reaction by the NUT; they have been in constant consultation with the government.

"The decision a strike was very not easy to take and we hope that we can get back to what we do and that’s teach.”
 
“The CPI, which the government uses to measure inflation, doesn’t take mortgages, food or fuel into account. I don’t know about everyone else but that’s what most of my wages go on.”

“I have had a lot of interest in the strike from the pupils.

"Some of them wanted to come on the teachers march in London with us.”

School closures include the following:

Connaught School, Aldershot, closed although non-striking teachers will be available to provide revision support for year 11 pupils.

Samuel Cody, Farnborough, complete closure.

Tweseldown Infant School, Fleet, complete closure

Farnborough Grange Nursery, Infant and Early Years Centre, Farnborough, partial closure.

Henry Tyndale, Farnborough, three classes closed, nine open.

Robert May's, Hook, years 8, 9 and 10 not in school.

Yateley School, Yateley, only open for years 11, 12 and 13.

Cove School, Farnborough,  will be partially closed with only years nine and 11 attending classes.

Fernhill School and Language College, Farnborough, is Closed to all years except Year 11.

All hallows Catholic School, Farnham, partial closures for years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Frimley School, full closure.

The Bourne, Farnham, partial closure for year R. Apple class (yr 1) closed in the morning.

The Grove School, Camberley, some junior and infant classes will be closed. Please check with the school.

Tomlinscote School, Frimley, years 7, 8, 9 and 10 will be closed, years 11, 12 and 13 will be open with restricted service.

Wavell School, Farnborough, closed to all years except year 11 and those taking part in Rock Challenge

First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail