Teachers are going on strike again this week in an ongoing row with the Government over pay.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) will hold two days of strike action in state schools and sixth form colleges in England on Wednesday, July 5, and Friday, July 7. There will be picket lines across many schools in the North East as teachers continue their campaign for a fully-funded above-inflation pay rise. And there will be a rally in Durham Market Place on Friday.
The Government offered teachers a £1,000 one-off payment for the current school year (2022/23) and an average 4.5% rise for staff next year after intensive talks with the education unions earlier this year. But four education unions rejected the offer and the decision on teachers' pay in England for next year has been passed to the independent School Teachers' Review Body's (STRB).
Read More: Teachers to stage two-day strike action before the end of school term
In May, the Sunday Times reported the STRB has recommended a 6.5% pay rise for teachers but the Government is yet to formally publish the pay review body's recommendation. Beth Farhat, of the National Education Union, said: “It is with great reluctance that our members are taking further strike action, but teachers have been left with no choice.
“In stark contrast to Wales and Scotland, where settlements were reached months ago, the Government of England is intent on dragging its heels. Gillian Keegan has refused to engage and refused to meet with the education unions, in spite of the vast majority of teachers rejecting her initial pay and funding offer at the start of April."
She further added: “There is a crisis in education. Schools and colleges are haemorrhaging staff, and those who remain are having to work unacceptably high numbers of additional hours in return for pay which continues to worsen in value. The Government's latest teacher census shows that a third have left the sector within five years of qualifying. They are missing their own training targets as a matter of routine, and teacher vacancies are up by 55% in just twelve months."
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Any strike action is hugely damaging. We have made a fair and reasonable pay offer to teachers, recognising their incredible work and commitment.
"Thousands of schools received significant additional funding as part of the extra £2 billion of investment we are providing both this year and next. As a result, school funding will be at its highest level in history next year, as measured by the IFS (Institute for Fiscal Studies)."
A number of schools in the North East have announced how they will be affected by the strike on Wednesday, July 5. Some will be closed or partially shut. We have listed these below. We will update this article as more schools announce their intentions in the run-up to the strike.
Schools affected by teachers' strike on Wednesday, July 5
Gateshead
Gibside School
The school will be closed to the following due to strike action; Bumblebee Class, Butterfly Class, Caterpillar Class, Robin Class, Koala Class, Squirrel Class, Dragonfly Class, Ladybird Class, Whale 1 Class, Elephant Class, Panda Class, Tiger Class, Giraffe Class, and Gorilla Class, and Rhino Class.
The Drive Community Primary School
The school will be closed to all students due to strike action.
Dunston Hill Community Primary School
The school will be closed to classes 1B and 3O, due to strike action.
Chopwell Primary School
The school will be partially open only to Nursery, Years 4, 5 and 6.
Rowlands Gill Primary School
The school will be closed to classes 3M, 5W, 6B all day. All other classes should attend as normal.
White Mere Community Primary School
The school will be closed to pupils in Year 4. All other year groups are unaffected and should attend as normal.
Ravensworth Terrace Primary School
The school will be open to only to Year 1, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 and Penguin pupils.
St. Joseph's RC Primary School, Highfield
The school will be closed to Year 2 pupils. All other pupils should attend as normal.
Newcastle
The schools that have told Newcastle City Council they will be closed are listed below.
5 July and 7 July
- Bridgewater Primary School
- Chillingham Road Primary School
- Farne Primary School
- Gosforth Park First School
- Hadrian School
- Knop Law Primary School
- Milecastle Primary School
- Sacred Heart Catholic High School - Closed 7 July only
- Simonside Primary School
- South Gosforth First School
- St Cuthbert's High School
- Throckley Primary School
- Westerhope Primary School
- Wingrove Primary School
County Durham
Aycliffe Village Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Partial closure due to Industrial action by teachers Y3 and Y6 closed only
Benfieldside Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: NEU strike action 5th July 2023
Burnside Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: NEU Planned Strike Action - school partially open for Nursery, Y2, Y3 and Y5 children only.
Butterknowle Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (Morning ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Strike Action - EYFS and Y3/4 closed morning only.
Castleside Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: NEU Strike Action
Cotsford Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Partial closure due to NEU strike action. Reception, 1, 3 and 4 should attend as normal.
Crook Primary and Nursery School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Partially due to industrial action
Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Industrial Action Nursery(PM), Year 3 and Year 5.
Durham Gilesgate Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: It remains open for nursery, reception and the Year 5/6 class Reason for closure: NEU strike action 5th July 2023
Durham Trinity School and Sports College
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Partial Closure due to Industrial Action by NEU
Frosterley Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Strike Action - School closed to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 all day.
Newker Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Industrial Action by NEU members.
North Park Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Industrial Action The school will be closed to pupils in Years 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6
Oxclose Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Partial closure due to NEU Industrial Action. A letter with further closure details has been sent to parents/carers.
Peases West Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Industrial Action by NEU members. Open to Nursery children only.
Shincliffe CofE (Controlled) Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: strike due to industrial action
Shotley Bridge Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: industrial action by teachers.. YR, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6
St John's CofE Aided Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: NEU strike action 5th July 2023
Staindrop CofE (Controlled) Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: Industrial action by NEU members
The Grove Primary School
The school will close on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 (All day ) and re-open on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (Morning ). Reason for closure: The school will be partially closed due to Industrial Action. The school will only be open to Year 2.
South Tyneside
The following list of schools are partially open with the members of staff who are available on Wednesday 5 July:
- Westoe Crown
- Boldon School
- Harton Academy
- Jarrow Cross
- Jarrow School
- Fellgate Primary
- St Wilfrids
- St Joseph's
- Simonside Primary
- Mortimer Community College
- Hedworthfield Primary
The following list of schools are fully open and expect pupils to attend as normal:
- East Boldon Infants
- Stanhope Primary
- Holy Trinity
- Hadrian Primary
- Hebburn Lakes
- East Boldon Juniors
- Helen Gibson Nursery
- Park View
- Monkton Academy
- Biddick Hall Juniors
North Tyneside
A number of schools in North Tyneside are closed or partially open on Wednesday. If a school is partially open this means it is either open to vulnerable children, children of key workers or to selected classes. Please contact the school directly for further information.
This information is correct at the time of publishing, but is subject to change. To confirm if your child's school or class are open or closed, please contact the school directly.
Open to pupils:
Bailey Green Primary School
Christ Church CE Primary School
Coquet Park First School
Cullercoats Primary School
George Stephenson High School
Hazlewood Community Primary School
Ivy Road Primary School
John Spence Community High School
King Edward Primary School
Marden High School
Monkseaton Middle School
New York Primary School
Norham High School
Percy Main Primary School
Preston Grange Primary School
Redesdale Primary School
Richardson Dees
Riverside Primary School
Shiremoor Primary School
Sir James Knott Memorial Nursery School
St Columba's RCVA Primary School
St Mary's (FH) RCVA Primary School
St Mary's (NS) RCVA Primary School
Stephenson Memorial Community Primary School
Waterville Primary School
Whitley Lodge First School
Woodlawn School
Partially open
Amberley Community Primary School
Appletree Gardens First School
Backworth Park Primary School
Balliol Primary School
Battle Hill Community Primary School
Beacon Hill School
Benton Dene Primary
Benton Dene School
Burnside Business & Enterprise College
Burradon Primary School
Carville Primary School (only closed to nursery)
Churchill Community College
Collingwood Primary School
Fordley Community Primary School
Forest Hall Primary School
Grasmere Academy
Greenfields Community Primary School
Holystone Primary School
Kings Priory
Langley First School
Marden Bridge Middle School
Marine Park First School
Monkhouse Primary School
Monkseaton High School
North Gosforth Academy
Rockcliffe First School
Silverdale School
South Wellfield First School
Southridge First School
Spring Gardens Primary School
Star of the Sea RCVA Primary School
St Bernadette's RCVA Primary School
St Cuthbert's RCVA Primary School
St Joesph's RCVA Primary School
St Stephens RCVA Primary School
St Thomas More Catholic High School
St. Bartholomew's C of E Primary School
Valley Gardens Middle School
Wallsend Jubilee Community Primary School
Wallsend St Peter's CE Primary School
Wellfield Middle School
Western Community Primary School
Westmoor Primary School
Whitehouse Primary School
Whitley Bay High School
Closed to pupils
Denbigh Community Primary School
Hadrian Park Primary School
Longbenton High School
Moorbridge Unit
Southlands School
St Aidan's RCVA Primary School
Northumberland
Embleton Vincent St Edward’s C of E Primary School - Closed (year 6 children will be on transition day)
Shilbottle Primary School - partially open, only open to key worker children and vulnerable children as all teaching staff are striking
St Michael’s C of E Primary School - partially closed, open for vulnerable and SEN children only in the year groups stated. Closed to reception, Yr1, 2, 3 & 4
St Paul’s RC Voluntary Aided Primary School, Alnwick - open, Year 4 not in A.M., Year 5 not in P.M
Swansfield Park Primary School - partially open, open to all EYFS and KS2, closed to all KS1 apart from vulnerable groups and critical workers
The Duchess’s Community High School - partially open, school only open to Year 10 and Year 6 (on a transition visit)
Ashington Academy - partially open, open to yr 10 & yr 12 only
Bothal Primary School - partially open, 2 year olds open as is the LINK alternative provision at Central
Central Primary School - partially open, 2 year olds open as is the LINK alternative provision at Central
NCEA Grace Darling Primary - partially open, open 2 yr prov, yr 6 & vulnerable etc
NCEA Thomas Bewick - partially open, closed to Year 2 and Year 4 except for vulnerable learners and open to all other year groups
NCEA William Leech - partially open, 2YO provision open as normal, Nursery - Y6 vulnerable and critical worker children only in school, Year 6 children who will move to Duke's in September would also attend for their transition visit
NCEA Bishop's Primary - partially open, we are open to Nursery, 30 hours, Y6, vulnerable and key workers
NCEA Duke's Secondary - partially open, Duke's will be closed to Year 7 & 8, it is open for Y9, Y10 & Y12
Pegswood Primary School - partially closed, no yr3 in school
St Aidan's RC Voluntary Aided Primary School - partially closed, no yr3 in school
Bedlington Station Primary School - partially open, Open for Reception and Yrs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Closed to nursery and Yr 1 students.
Bedlington West End Primary School - partially open, closed to Yr2 and Yr3
Cambois Primary School - closed
Ringway Primary School - partially open, Playgroup and Nursery will be fully closed. School will be closed to Year 2 and Year 3 with the exception of children identified as vulnerable or children where both parents are classed as key workers.
St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy - partially open, Open to yr 10 also for key worker and vulnerable children.
Bede Academy - partially open, only opening for nursery children and key worker
Croftway Academy - partially open, Closed for Nursery, Reception and Year 1
Horton Grange Primary School - partially open
New Delaval Primary School - partially closed, OPEN TO THE FOLLOWING: Two Year Old Afternoon Provision – Mrs Johnson / Miss Gibson, Nursey Am / Nursey PM – Mrs Johnson, Reception - Mrs Robson, Year 2 - Mrs Horne, Year 5 – Mrs Thew, Year 5/6 - Mr Hutton, Year 6 – Mrs Sawyer.
Newsham Primary School - partially open
The Blyth Academy - closed
James Calvert Spence College - partially open, Only open to key workers children.
Red Row First School - partially open, open for vulnerable children
Burnside Primary School - partially open, FULLY CLOSED - Nursery, Year 1 and Year 5, PARTIALLY CLOSED - Reception, Year 2 and Year 3
Cragside C of E Vol Cont Primary School - partially open, partially open to 1 rec class Yr 3, 1 yr 4 class, 1 yr 5 class and 1 yr 6 class
Ss Peter & Paul's Catholic Academy, Cramlington - partially closed, Year 3 closed
Greenhaugh Primary School - partially closed, Year 3/4 Class will be closed on the 5th July.
Haltwhistle Academy - partially open, Yr5 partial open Reception closed am
Haydon Bridge High - closed
Acomb First School - partially open, only open to vulnerable children, closed to the rest of the school
Queen Elizabeth High School - partially open, Open to Y9 and Y12 students, Remote learning for Y10 students, Key students in Y10 will be able to access onsite provision
Hexham Middle School - partially open, Open to Year 7 students, also open to key worker and vulnerable children
Corbridge C of E Voluntary Aided First School - partially closed, closed to year 2
Slaley First School - partially open, Morning closed to all students. Afternoon open to Reception and Nursery children.
St Mary’s RC VA First School, Hexham - partially closed, St. Mary's will remain open for all years except year 2 and year 4
Morpeth Chantry Middle School - partially open, open to year 5 and year 7 students
The King Edward VI School - partially closed, Open to new Y11 and New Y13, Closed to new Y10, Y8 transition days will go ahead
Belsay Primary School - partially open, open to yr3 and yr4
Darras Hall Primary School - partially closed
Ponteland High School - partially closed, Year 7 open only
Richard Coates C of E Primary School - partially closed
Highfield Middle School - partially open, open to Y5 and vulnerable pupils only
Mickley First School - partially closed, Reception is closed other year groups are open
Ovingham Middle School - partially open, open for vulnerable and key worker children
Prudhoe High School - partially open, open to Yr10, Yr12 and vulnerable children
Prudhoe West Academy - partially open, Nursery closed
Holywell Village First School - partially open, Partially open to yr 2 & 4 only
New Hartley First School - partially open, The year groups affected are Year 4, 3, 2, R and N
Seaton Delaval First School - closed
Seaton Sluice First School - partially open, Open to Yr 2 & 3 only
Seaton Sluice Middle School - partially open, Closed to all yr groups apart from Vulnerable & EHCP pupils
Whytrig Community Middle School - partially open, OPEN To Y5 only, CLOSED to Y6/Y7/Y8 (except vulnerable/EHCP by prior agreement)
The Dales School - partially open, closed to classes B2, B3, B12 & B13
Emily Wilding Davison School - partially open, open to the most vulnerable and those preparing for exams
Barndale House School - partially open
Cleaswell Hill School - partially open, all year groups affected due to structure of the classes
Collingwood School & Media - partially open, open to primary and sixth form, closed to yr7 and yr11
Cramlington Hillcrest School - partially closed, The following classes will be in school on both strike days; Class HS, Class GM, Class LM, Class SK, Class MW
Hexham Priory School - partially open, open to the following classes: otters, penguins and oysters
NCEA Castle School - partially open
Sunderland
Simon Marshall, Sunderland’s director of education services, said: "We have 120 schools and academies in Sunderland. Our latest information suggests that many will be impacted by closures or partial closures for particular year groups, and others will remain open for the most vulnerable children and those of critical workers. We continue to advise parents to contact schools, and to check websites and school social media for further information."
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