SCHOOL closures across Worcestershire because of strike action have been branded 'hugely disappointing' by the Government.

Several schools in the county have confirmed they are closing in whole or in part tomorrow (March 1) due to industrial action by the National Education Union.

More schools have been added to the list today, including Red Hill Primary in Worcester which will be partially closed. 

READ MORE: These are the schools closing or partially closing due to strike action 

READ MORE: Travellers look to have another overnight stay at leisure centre

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan descriebed the strike action as 'hugely disappointing' and said the Government had made a 'serious offer'.

 

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However, NEU leaders said they were 'disappointed  Gillian Keegan has given us nothing to work with in order to postpone strike action'.

The list, which may be updated further, is as follows.

Full closures 

  • Catshill First School & Nursery, Bromsgrove (due to the NEU strike the school will be closed to all pupils. They will be contacting parents/carers of Children Looked After (CLA), Child Protection Plans (CP), Child in Need Plans (CIN) & EHCPs).
  • Catshill Middle School, Bromsgrove (due to the NEU strike the school will be closed to all pupils. They will be contacting parents/carers of Children Looked After (CLA), Child Protection Plans (CP), Child in Need Plans (CIN) & EHCPs.
  • Chawson Community First School, Droitwich

Partial closures 

  • Baxter College, Kidderminster (the school is open for Year 11, Year 12, Year 13 students.Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 students are not expected in school, and will be set remote learning.
  • Pinvin CE First School, Pershore (Pinvin Federation will be closed to Year2, Year 4. All other classes will be open as usual).
  • Red Hill CE Primary School in Worcester (a partial closure for two classes only - Reception class LJ and Class 5LB. All other classes open
  • St Nicholas' CE Middle School in Pershore (St Nicholas CE School will be closed to Year 5 and one class in Year 6. All other classes will be open as normal).
  • Walkwood CE Middle School, Redditch (Walkwood will be open only to Year 6 pupils  along with pupils who attend the Mainstream Autism Base. The school is closed to all other pupils).
  • Westlands First School, Droitwich (closed to Reception pupils but open as usual for Nursery, Years 1, 2, 3 & 4).

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) voted in overwhelming numbers to take strike action for a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise.

The ballot of teacher, support staff and leader members in 23,400 schools throughout England and Wales is the largest vote for strike action achieved by any union ever in the UK, the NEU says. The move has been branded a 'last resort' by the NEU.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “As a government, we have made a serious offer to the leaders of the National Education Union and Royal College of Nursing: pause this week’s strikes, get round the table and talk about pay, conditions and reforms.

“It is hugely disappointing the NEU has thus far refused this serious offer and has not joined the Royal College of Nurses in calling off strikes. Instead of sitting round a table discussing pay, the NEU will once again cause disruption for children and families.

“Children deserve to be in school, and further strike action is simply unforgivable, especially after everything children have been through because of the pandemic.”

Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretaries of the NEU, said: "We are very disappointed that Gillian Keegan has given us nothing to work with in order to postpone strike action.

"There has been no offer, substantive or otherwise. The only reason talks have occurred with education unions is because of the successful ballot result and strike action by the NEU. But these have been empty discussions, with Gillian Keegan reiterating her position and offering nothing on pay for the current year. We have always been willing to talk. We want the government to indicate what we might talk about in a joint, and serious attempt to resolve this dispute for the sake of teachers and children's education."

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