Schools in the West Midlands to shut their doors as teachers walk out over pay

Over 200,000 teachers are set to strike over three days of action

Author: Ella StirlingPublished 1st Mar 2023
Last updated 1st Mar 2023

An estimated 200,000 teachers in England and Wales will take part in three days of industrial action as their dispute over pay continues.

Today (28th) members of the National Education Union (NEU) in the Midlands and eastern regions of England will strike, with most schools expected to restrict access to pupils or fully close.

And in Birmingham a "Save our schools" rally is taking place in Centenary Square.

Yesterday, teachers in the north of England walked out, and there are more walkouts in Wales and the south of England planned for Thursday.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: "I think a majority of schools will be affected by the dispute - some of them with full closures and many more with partial closures.

"Some secondary schools will be completely closed, others will have particular year groups in and a similar pattern in lots of lots of primary schools."

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: "As a government, we have made a serious offer to the leaders of the National Education Union and Royal College of Nursing: pause this week's strikes, get round the table and talk about pay, conditions and reforms.

"It is hugely disappointing the NEU has thus far refused this serious offer and has not joined the Royal College of Nursing in calling off strikes.

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