SCHOOL'S OUT

Teachers to strike today over funding causing parents a headache with schools to closing across UK

Thousands of schools set to run reduced timetables or even close today due to staff shortages

Danny Collins

Published: 9:59, 5 Jul 2016
Updated: 12:54, 5 Jul 2016

THOUSANDS of teachers are set to strike today in a walk-out that threatens chaos for millions of Brits.

National Union of Teachers members voted to walk out citing a lack of investment in schools.

Thousands of teachers are going on strike today in protest against schools funding — Thousands of teachers are going on strike today in protest against schools fundingCredit: Getty Images

Of those balloted 96 per cent voted to walk out for one day — Of those balloted 96 per cent voted to walk out for one dayCredit: Getty Images

The teaching body said it "did not take the action lightly" after thousands of teachers went on strike on Tuesday — The teaching body said it "did not take the action lightly" after thousands of teachers went on strike on TuesdayCredit: Getty Images

And it could mean thousands of schools run reduced timetables, close early or even shut for the day.

NUT chief Kevin Courtney apologised to parents for the inconvenience and said "teachers do not take action lightly".

He added: "The problems facing education, however, are too great to be ignored and we know many parents share our concerns."

But the Education Secretary Nicky Morgan came out and criticised the "harmful" and "unnecessary" strike.

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Of the 24.5 per cent of staff balloted over the action, 91 per cent voted in favour of walking out.

Teachers have long argued that investment in schools is not rising at the same rate as running costs.

Courtney told Radio Four's Today programme: "Class sizes are going up, we are being told of schools where there will be classes of 35 in September.

"Art, dance and drama teachers are being made redundant or not being replaced when they leave, individual attention for children is going down.

"This is all happening because the government is not allowing school budgets to keep pace with inflation. They are freezing the cash per pupil they give to schools."

The body warned that classrooms could soon be full to bursting point with as many as 35 students — The body warned that classrooms could soon be full to bursting point with as many as 35 studentsCredit: Getty Images

Some schools have been forced to run amended timetables, with some having to close early of shut completely — Some schools have been forced to run amended timetables, with some having to close early of shut completelyCredit: PA:Press Association

But Nicky Morgan warned against the strikes, saying it was likely to hit children and their parents hardest — But Nicky Morgan warned against the strikes, saying it was likely to hit children and their parents hardestCredit: Alamy

The education secretary hit back, saying: "Spending on education is the highest it has ever been." — The education secretary hit back, saying: "Spending on education is the highest it has ever been."Credit: PA:Press Association

But NUT chief Kevin Courtney hit back, warning: "Class sizes are going up, we are being told of schools where there will be classes of 35 in September."

But Morgan hit back, defending school spending.

She said: "Spending on education is the highest it has ever been this year at £40bn. It has gone up £4bn since 2011-12."

The action drew a mixed reaction on Twitter as parents and teachers alike aired their views.

One parent, highlighting stringent rules on term-time holidays, wrote: "So, if I take my daughter out of school it is detrimental to her education, yet teachers are striking to improve it?"

But Zoe Brown, who describes herself as an Assistant Head, tweeted: "Slashed budgets + shortage of teachers mean unqualified teachers are the only option in some schools - children deserve better."

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