After beginning talks with the government over their pay dispute, teachers' unions have announced that no further strike dates will be announced in England for two weeks.
The talks, which lasted through the weekend, centered on pay, working conditions, and reducing teachers' workload. Strike action has affected thousands of schools across England this week.
There are currently no plans for further industrial action in Wales or Northern Ireland. However, In Scotland, the dispute has been settled.
What are Teachers' Pay Demands?
Stated below are teachers' pay demands for each region.
England Pay Demand
Unions want above-inflation increases, as well as additional funds to ensure that increases do not come from existing budgets.
Salary levels in England fell by 11% on average between 2010 and 2022, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
According to unions, teacher pay has dropped by up to 23% during that time.
Most state school teachers in England saw a 5% pay increase in 2022.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the government has committed an extra £2bn in England, taking "real-terms spending on schools to its highest level in history".
The government offered most teachers a 3% pay increase in 2023/24, which the NEU says is insufficient.
Wales Pay Demand
The NEU is consulting members on an 8% pay increase for 2022/23 (6.5% plus a one-time payment of 1.5%) and a 5% pay increase for 2023/24.
Scotland Pay Demand
Unions agreed to a 7% raise for 2022/23, which would be retroactive to April. They have also agreed to a 5% increase in April 2023 and a 2% increase in January 2024.
Northern Ireland Pay Demand
Many teachers were offered 3.2% for the school years 2021/22 and 2022/23.
How Much Do Teachers Earn?
Teachers' starting salaries in England are set to rise to £30,000 per year by September 2023.
In the 2021-22 school year, classroom teachers in England were paid an average of £38,982, £39,009 in Wales, and £40,026 in Scotland. Northern Ireland provided no figures.
For the same time period, the average head teacher salary in England was £74,095, with other senior leaders earning £57,117.
Based on vacancy rates and subject shortages, experts advise ministers on teacher pay.
Money allocated in England is distributed proportionally to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as is the case with all public spending.
Employers contribute an additional 23.68% to teacher pensions. Nurses, on the other hand, received 14.38%.
When Did Teachers Go on Strike?
Teachers from the National Education Union (NEU) went on strike in England for the second day in a row on March 16.
NEU teachers from sixth-form colleges also took part.
Are Teachers on Strike in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland?
There are no planned strikes.
Following talks with the Welsh government, the NEU suspended its activities in Wales.
On February 1, the National Association of Head Teachers began non-strike action.
Strikes were called off in Scotland after the Educational Institute of Scotland and the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association agreed to a new pay deal.
Five unions in Northern Ireland are taking action short of a strike.
What Parents Should Know
The government says schools in England should reopen if possible, but fewer than half were fully operational during the first national strike on February 1.
Teachers are not required to notify parents in advance if they are on strike, and there are no requirements for when parents must be notified about school closures.
Headteachers decide whether or not to close the school. Some parents may be informed of closure only on the morning of the event, once staff numbers are known.
There are no minimum staffing requirements, and heads may use agency employees or volunteers who are not required to follow the curriculum.
Schools may provide remote education, but it is not required.
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