Some pupils are being asked to stay home next Wednesday (March 26) as teachers in West Cheshire go on strike as part of countrywide action.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is striking against increased pension contributions and workload, forcing the partial closure of some schools in the county.
Upton High School in Chester is among those schools operating a partial closure during the all day strike.
In a letter to parents, David Wilson, chair of governors, wrote: “As it is the opinion of the headteacher that to remain open for all students would be unsafe, and given the proximity to their terminal examinations, the school will be open for years 11, 12 and 13 only on Wednesday March 26 and these students must attend school as usual on this day.
“The school will therefore be closed to years 7, 8, 9 and 10.”
Greg Foster, NUT division secretary for Cheshire West, said the extra pension contribution together with a two year pay freeze followed by a 1% rise meant teachers had suffered a 15% pay cut after allowing for inflation. In addition, a Department for Education survey revealed primary school teachers were working almost 60 hour weeks.
He said: “We are facing a situation where two in five teachers are leaving the profession within five years. You are getting more and more people who want to start a family but don’t have time for a personal life.”
Mr Foster added: “Most schools will be affected by the strike to one degree or other. Parents will be affected unfortunately.”
He said teachers were also disgruntled that they would be forced to work until the age of 68 or older and were unhappy at the introduction of performance-related pay.
Striking teachers will be leafleting outside Chester Town Hall tomorrow (Saturday, March 22) to get over their message.
Action on the same issues began on June 27 last year when the North West region, including Cheshire West and Chester, was selected for a strike by the two biggest teachers’ unions, the NUT and the NASUWT.
