All Edinburgh schools will be closed next Thursday, November 24, as confirmed by the City of Edinburgh Council this week.
All schools across the city and nursery classes within schools will be closed. Children who receive free school meals will be given lunch to take home on Wednesday for the following day.
This news has come as part of industrial action by the Educational Institute of Scotland, as thousands of Scottish teachers head on strike over pay conditions. But what do the strikes mean, who they will affect, and why they are happening?
READ MORE - All Edinburgh schools to close on Thursday as teachers agree to go on strike
Who is striking in Edinburgh and why?
The teachers strike action on November 24 comes after members of the Educational Institute of Scotland, the country’s largest teaching union, voted overwhelmingly to back the move. And it means that teachers in Edinburgh will go ahead with industrial action.
Teachers in England have accepted a five per cent pay rise, but Scotland-based teachers have decided to strike as the union argues that inflation rising above 11 per cent means these increases are pay cuts, in real terms.
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.
Will all schools close on Thursday, November 24?
Yes, all schools, including term-time nurseries within primary schools and additional support for learning (ASL) establishments, will be closed on Thursday, November 24.
Teachers and other staff who are not striking will work from home. Headteachers will send out details of the learning and pastoral support that will be provided as soon as possible.
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Term time nursery classes within primary schools will be closed. All other settings will be open. Specific arrangements will be emailed separately to parents.
There will be no extra-curricular clubs other than evening classes which take place after 6pm.
Can I get time off work as my child is not at school?
Yes, you have the right to take time off work to help a dependant - such as your child - if their normal arrangements fall through.
But you won't necessarily get paid under this rule. 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.
For more information on schools striking in Edinburgh, visit the City of Edinburgh Council website for further details.
READ NEXT:
Martin Lewis issues Black Friday warning asking shoppers to think before buying
Edinburgh oncologist explains lung cancer symptoms you 'must not ignore'
Opening times and how to get tickets to Edinburgh's Christmas Market Ice Rink
Martin Lewis urges people to claim free £200 in time for Christmas
The Crown and 7 things from season 5 that never actually took place
