Teachers across Kirklees and Calderdale are “solidly” supporting a 24-hour strike today which has closed many schools and disrupted lessons.
Dozens of schools in Kirklees were either closed or partially closed, as members of the National Union of Teachers walked out in a long-running dispute over school funding, pay and conditions.
Kirklees Council listed the closures and partial closures on its websites, with 37 schools affected.
And it was a similar story in Calderdale with dozens of schools affected, although some did open as normal.
There was also picketing outside the main entrance to the University of Huddersfield .
The University and College Union set up a pop up Free University at the Lawrence Batley Theatre . Branch secretary Jackie Lane said: “We want to emphasise not just our professionalism and that our strike is not to be taken lightly but also that the university is more than just its buildings and is made up of the commitment of its staff and students”.
The NUT says members had shown strong support for the strike, which it said was being backed by many parents. The NUT claims funding to schools is being cut, leading to increased workloads for teachers and bigger class sizes.
The union has written to Education Secretary Nicky Morgan calling for “meaningful” discussions to tackle issues it said were negatively affecting education.
Acting general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “The NUT is aware that strike action can be disruptive to parents and carers and for that we wholeheartedly apologise. Equally, teachers do not take strike action lightly.
“The strike is about the underfunding of our schools and the negative impact it is having on children’s education and teachers’ terms and conditions.
“Schools are facing the worst cuts in funding since the 1970s. The decisions which head teachers have to make are damaging to our children and young people’s education. Class sizes going up, school trips reduced, materials and resources reduced, and subjects are being removed from the curriculum. Teaching posts are being cut or not filled when staff leave.”
Ms Morgan has denied the union’s claims that funding is being cut and accused the union of organising a “political” strike.
A list of affected schools in Kirklees can be seen here: https:// www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/announcements/disruptions-closures-and-weather/default.aspx .
For Calderdale, there is more at: http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/education/closures/status.jsp?establishment=SCH&offset=0#results .
