Teacher strikes (FOI)

Request

A

How much money have the Government and fee-paying schools saved (salary and additional employment costs eg pension / social security contributions) by withholding salaries from teachers due to the recent eight days strike action?

B

What are they planning to do with these savings?

C

What plans does each school have in place to fully cover the eight days of school missed due to strike action for students in year 10 and year 12 who are mid-way through their GCSE and A-level courses, and ensure there is no detriment to their education as a result of the disruption?

Response

A

The members of the National Education Union were on strike for eight days in May. The total saving on their salaries was £247,191. This represents £234,684 on basic salaries and £12,507 on Social Security payments. There has been no saving on pensions.

B

Unpaid staff salaries accrued due to industrial action currently remain in school budget. At this stage no decision has been made as to how these funds will be allocated.

C

Replacing the time lost from the industrial action is extremely difficult and highlights the value of each day of education provided. Schools continued to do everything they could to prepare young people for examinations by ensuring all content of the courses were taught. Schools factored in what learning pupils of all ages needed, to ensure all elements of the curriculum were delivered.