By Rachael Grealish
Teachers are set to go on strike this week, but what schools will be closed in Cumbria on Wednesday and Thursday?
On Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 March, National Education Union (NEU) members in England will once again take nationwide industrial action.
Teachers in Wales were set to join the strike, but the NEU called it off after the Welsh government proposed a new pay offer.
NEU says Education Secretary is to blame
The NEU has told The Herdwick News although they ‘regret the inconvenience’ caused by the strike action, but say the responsibility ‘lies squarely with the Education Secretary’, Gillian Keegan, for this industrial action needing to go ahead.
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary, NEU: “The NEU regrets the inconvenience caused to parents, children and young people by strike action. The responsibility for this lies squarely with the Education Secretary.
“The NEU has said time and again we will meet for talks. As in Wales and Scotland, strike action was paused when a serious offer was made, and members were consulted on it.
Dr Bousted went on to say she thinks the Education Secretary is ‘digging’ her heels in, saying: “No preconditions were thought necessary by Scotland or Waves and as a result progress has been made. Gillian Keegan’s digging in of heels, and refusal to engage through Acas, has meant that England yet again lags behind other countries.
“Parents see daily the effect that the teacher recruitment and retention crisis, alongside woeful school funding, is having on their children’s education. While we sincerely apologise for this disruption on Wednesday and Thursday, we believe that parents recognise the need for change.”
The Herdwick News contacted Gillian Keegan who directed us to an open letter published today, Tuesday March 14, about her thoughts in which she says: “This strike action is completely unnecessary. As I said to the NEU three weeks ago, I want to get around the table and engage in serious talks on teachers’ pay and other issues to resolve disputes.”
The NEU states teachers are going on strike not only for a ‘fully-funded above inflation pay rise’ but also funding for schools.
What schools are closed on Wednesday and Thursday in Cumbria?
Here is a list of all schools in Cumbria that are going to be closed due to the industrial action – as confirmed by Cumbria County Council.
Each school is going to be totally closed for two days from Wednesday, March 15, and reopening on Friday, March 17, unless otherwise stated.
- Bransty Primary School – Whitehaven
- Chapel Street Infants and Nursery School – Dalton-In-Furness
- Derwent Vale Primary School and Nursery- Workington
- George Romney Junior School- Dalton-In-Furness
- Gosforth CofE School -Seascale
- Great Corby Primary School Carlisle – partially closed as follows:- Reception & Nursery class open mornings only, closed from 1pm. Class 1 – Open all day on March 15 & Open until 1pm only on March 16. Class 2 – Closed. Class 3 – Open
- Hayton CofE Primary School Brampton
- Lazonby CofE School Penrith
- St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School – Windermere
- St Patrick’s Catholic Primary – Cleator Moor
- Holm Cultram Abbey CofE School Wigton
- Ivegill CofE School Carlisle
- Monkwray Junior School Whitehaven
- Our Lady and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Maryport
- St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School Penrith
- Upperby Primary School Carlisle
Partial closure due to Industrial Action. Open for Sunbeams class only. - West Lakes Academy, Egremont
West Lakes Academy is closed to years 7-10 and year 12 due to NEU strike action. The academy will be open to year 11, year 13 and children who might be considered vulnerable. - Blackford CofE Primary School Carlisle
- Calthwaite CofE School Penrith
- Cambridge Primary School Barrow-In-Furness
- Cockermouth School Cockermouth
Due to the planned industrial action, the school will be closed to Years 7, 8, 9, and 10 on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 March 2023. Resources are available to students on Firefly. - Croftlands Junior School Ulverston
Partially closed due to industrial action. Some classes are closed. Parents have been informed. - Energy Coast UTC Workington
The school will be partially closed due to industrial action. The school will be closed for Y10 and open for Y11, 12 and 13. - Montreal CofE Primary School Cleator Moor
- Morland Area CofE Primary School Penrith
- Orgill Primary School Egremont
- Seascale Primary School Seascale
- Skelton School Penrith
- St Bridget’s Catholic Primary School Egremont
- St Herbert’s CofE (VA) Primary and Nursery School Keswick
Partial closure – Closed for children in Bleaberry (Y3/4) only due to Industrial Action. - St James’ CofE Infant and Nursery School Whitehaven
Partially closed – School will be partially closed due to national strike action. Melbreak class will be open. - St James’ CofE Junior School – Whitehaven
School will be partially closed due to national strike action to Buttermere & Bassenthwaite classes. School is open as normal to all other classes. - St Patrick’s Catholic Primary , Cleator Moor
- Upperby Primary School Carlisle
Partial closure due to Industrial Action. Open for Sunbeams class only - Victoria Infant and Nursery School, Barrow-In-Furness
School will be partially closed due to strike action. Only 1 Nursery class, 1 Reception Class and 1 Year 2 class will be open. - Victoria Infant and Nursery School ,Workington
- Workington Academy, Workington
The academy will be open to students in Y11, 12 and 13. There will be a hub for vulnerable students and children of critical workers – available to all year groups. Students in Y7-Y10 should not come into school unless they are in the hub.
THE HERDWICK NEWS 