STRIKE action by teachers, planned for tomorrow, will affect hundreds of schools across the News Shopper area.
Thursday's strike is the first industrial action by teachers in more than 20 years.
Members of the National Union of Teachers in England and Wales expect to be joined on the day by 100,000 civil servants and 30,000 lecturers.
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Teachers are protesting that their pay rise of 2.45 per cent does not keep pace with inflation which is currently running at 4.1 per cent.
As well as school-gate protests, demonstrating teachers will gather in London to march from Lincoln's Inn Fields to Whitehall and Parliament Square.
The march will finish with a rally at Central Hall in Westminster at 1pm.
In Bexley
Six Bexley schools are expected to close and another 21 will be forced to partially close.
The six schools which have indicated they will close are special schools Shenstone in Crayford and Woodside in Bexleyheath; Brampton Primary School, Bexleyheath; Barnehurst Junior School, Northumberland Heath; Dulverton Primary School, Sidcup, and East Wickham Infant School, Welling.
The other schools affected include 19 primary and Cleeve Park School, Sidcup, and Bexleyheath School, which will be only partially open.
In Lewisham
So far 40 schools are expected to be completely closed to pupils for the day - with a similar number at least partially closed.
It is thought only a handful of schools in the borough will be unaffected by the strike.
Teachers are planning to meet outside Lewisham Town Hall in Catford between 9am and 9.30am.
In Bromley
Bromley Council did not wish to say how many schools will be affected.
But it is rumoured that at least six Bromley schools will close because of the strike and that many others will operate with reduced staff.
A spokesman for Bromley Council said: "We are currently collating information about any industrial action which we will supply to local government employers.
"We have written to all teachers advising on the implications of taking industrial action and have provided guidance to headteachers on the steps they should take to plan for the potential impact.
"Our priority as a council is to minimise any negative effect on pupils in our schools."
Balgowan Primary School, Balgowan Road, Beckenham has 21 class groups and out of these seven will be cancelled tomorrow as their teachers will be on strike.
Notice of the closed classes was given to parents before the spring holiday.
Headteacher, Dr Swatland, said:"We explained the reasons behind the strike to parents. We are making the best of the difficulties.
"We are managing the situation here so there is the least possible disruption at the school."
Other schools open but affected include Crofton Junior School, Town Court Lane, Orpington and Burnt Ash Primary School, Rangefield Road, Bromley.
Lecturers at Bromley College will picket the Rookery Lane campus from 7.45am until 11.30am.
Bromley College University and College Union branch chairman Steve Collinson said: "Further education lecturers are not only paid less than school teachers, but lecturers at Bromley College are paid less than many of their colleagues in other FE colleges."
In North Kent
More than 200 teachers in Dartford and Swanley and a further 100 from Gravesham are expected to strike, say local NUT representatives.
A total of 39 schools in the area will be affected.
Posted by: Harry Brown, Belvedere on 3:10pm Wed 23 Apr 08
Teachers had the whole of the Easter holidays to strike - why didn't they do it then? Oh yes, that was OFF time to them wasn't it - just like the other 12 or so weeks they get off during the year. I suppose it makes sense for them to do it during term-time - get an extra day off work and cause maximum disruption to their pupils' education.
Teachers had the whole of the Easter holidays to strike - why didn't they do it then? Oh yes, that was OFF time to them wasn't it - just like the other 12 or so weeks they get off during the year. I suppose it makes sense for them to do it during term-time - get an extra day off work and cause maximum disruption to their pupils' education.
With attitudes like yours its no wonder the school kids have such disrespect for teachers and learning. Still when they are all drawing benefits they can blame their lack of education.
With attitudes like yours its no wonder the school kids have such disrespect for teachers and learning. Still when they are all drawing benefits they can blame their lack of education.
Garry has a good point - parents aren't allowed to take their own children out of school during term time without being fined so why aren't the teachers facing a penalty for causing this distruction? I feel sorry for the children but also the parents who work and have had to pay for additional child care for tomorrow or take the day off work. Really unfair!
Garry has a good point - parents aren't allowed to take their own children out of school during term time without being fined so why aren't the teachers facing a penalty for causing this distruction? I feel sorry for the children but also the parents who work and have had to pay for additional child care for tomorrow or take the day off work. Really unfair!
At Riverview Junior Scool in Gravesend some teachers are on strike and some are not. For the children who cannot attend due to their teacher not working they are having an abscence mark (due to other reasons) put on their school records which I feel is grossly unfair.
At Riverview Junior Scool in Gravesend some teachers are on strike and some are not. For the children who cannot attend due to their teacher not working they are having an abscence mark (due to other reasons) put on their school records which I feel is grossly unfair.
Coopers in Chislehurst has only got years 10 and 11 going in which I'm guessing has something to do with the approaching GCSE's. If this is the case bigs thumbs up Coopers!
Coopers in Chislehurst has only got years 10 and 11 going in which I'm guessing has something to do with the approaching GCSE's. If this is the case bigs thumbs up Coopers!
Posted by: Pink Kitten, London on 4:32pm Wed 23 Apr 08
Teachers! Any excuse for a day off, they moved the Easter holidays because teachers were moaning that they always missed out on Good Friday and Easter Monday that's not good enough now they are moaning over money. Is it any wonder children are the way they are?
Teachers! Any excuse for a day off, they moved the Easter holidays because teachers were moaning that they always missed out on Good Friday and Easter Monday that's not good enough now they are moaning over money. Is it any wonder children are the way they are?
No, Easter holiday was not moved because of teachers complaints. This was down to the church, weirdly teachers have no control over religious festivals. Easter was early this year and the idea was to keep twelve week terms, and maintain pupil focus approaching the exam season. Sorry to moan over pay, it would be much fairer for us to keep our mouths shut, accept our annual pay cut and get on with the job of bringing up your children that you so readily relinquish any responsibility for.
Oh and in response to gary, let's sack all of us. Educate your gormless progeny yourselves, what an enlightened society it will be!
Parents, is it any wonder why children are the way they are?
No, Easter holiday was not moved because of teachers complaints. This was down to the church, weirdly teachers have no control over religious festivals. Easter was early this year and the idea was to keep twelve week terms, and maintain pupil focus approaching the exam season. Sorry to moan over pay, it would be much fairer for us to keep our mouths shut, accept our annual pay cut and get on with the job of bringing up your children that you so readily relinquish any responsibility for.
Oh and in response to gary, let's sack all of us. Educate your gormless progeny yourselves, what an enlightened society it will be!
Parents, is it any wonder why children are the way they are?
Posted by: Cleeve Parker, Sidcup, Bexley, London on 8:09pm Wed 23 Apr 08
Oh dear. Let us think about how many people would not be upset in receiving a pay cut (below inflation) for the fourth year running and into the future. Parents and carers should support teachers getting paid properly as this encourages more quality people in to the profession. Lets have a reasonable consideration of the issues rather than the ill considred rant of some posters.
Oh dear. Let us think about how many people would not be upset in receiving a pay cut (below inflation) for the fourth year running and into the future. Parents and carers should support teachers getting paid properly as this encourages more quality people in to the profession. Lets have a reasonable consideration of the issues rather than the ill considred rant of some posters.
Posted by: Let's Agree To Differ on 9:41pm Wed 23 Apr 08
Harry what a ridiculous comment. What would be the point of the teachers striking when the schools are closed? They are trying to make a point as is anyone who strikes. Yes it is annoying and inconvenient, that's the point of striking to get noticed.
What a shame parents don't see it as a day they can spend with their children doing something nice. I think many parents are just happy to dump their children off their hands every day. The fact that the strike is so close to the holiday they've just had must be very annoying to those parents who were just relieved to have got them back to school 'out of the way.'
As for the disruption from what I've read it is a very small amount of teachers who are striking. They feel they have an issue worth striking for and they have the right to strike just like any other worker.
At some point we have all been disrupted by strikes but we have also all benefitted from people who have been prepared to make a stand for what they beleived to be right. It's a good job the suffragettes or the Jarrow men didn't worry about inconveniencing people.
Harry what a ridiculous comment. What would be the point of the teachers striking when the schools are closed? They are trying to make a point as is anyone who strikes. Yes it is annoying and inconvenient, that's the point of striking to get noticed.
What a shame parents don't see it as a day they can spend with their children doing something nice. I think many parents are just happy to dump their children off their hands every day. The fact that the strike is so close to the holiday they've just had must be very annoying to those parents who were just relieved to have got them back to school 'out of the way.'
As for the disruption from what I've read it is a very small amount of teachers who are striking. They feel they have an issue worth striking for and they have the right to strike just like any other worker.
At some point we have all been disrupted by strikes but we have also all benefitted from people who have been prepared to make a stand for what they beleived to be right. It's a good job the suffragettes or the Jarrow men didn't worry about inconveniencing people.
Perhaps Harry and Gary should think about getting a job rather than spending their afternoons whining about those people busting a gut entertaining their children.
Pathetic.
Perhaps Harry and Gary should think about getting a job rather than spending their afternoons whining about those people busting a gut entertaining their children.
Pathetic.
[quote][bold]Pink Kitten[/bold] wrote:
Teachers! Any excuse for a day off, they moved the Easter holidays because teachers were moaning that they always missed out on Good Friday and Easter Monday that's not good enough now they are moaning over money. Is it any wonder children are the way they are?[/quote] Yes the teachers decided that they would make Nisan 14 fall earlier this year - it's been 150 years in the planning since it last fell early!
As for is it any wonder children are the way they are - have you considered that this is in the making of considering their background in some cases?
If the parents cannot teach them respect and manners before school age who is to blame for that? You can lead a horse to water but cannot make it drink!
Good luck to them yet another lot of public sector workers striving for what they deserve!
Pink Kitten wrote:
Teachers! Any excuse for a day off, they moved the Easter holidays because teachers were moaning that they always missed out on Good Friday and Easter Monday that's not good enough now they are moaning over money. Is it any wonder children are the way they are?
Yes the teachers decided that they would make Nisan 14 fall earlier this year - it's been 150 years in the planning since it last fell early!
As for is it any wonder children are the way they are - have you considered that this is in the making of considering their background in some cases?
If the parents cannot teach them respect and manners before school age who is to blame for that? You can lead a horse to water but cannot make it drink!
Good luck to them yet another lot of public sector workers striving for what they deserve!
Posted by: Buttercup, Beckenham on 4:29pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I think teachers should take a long hard look at other jobs and see how much better off they are. Today I watched the demonstration by striking teachers make its way through Brixton. They left in their wake dumped and broken plackards and other rubbish. We always tell kids that dumping litter is wrong and indeed they could and should be issued with a fixed penalty notice. I think evryone on that protest today should consider the example they are setting the young people of this country and take some responsibility for the appauling examples they are seeting our children
I think teachers should take a long hard look at other jobs and see how much better off they are. Today I watched the demonstration by striking teachers make its way through Brixton. They left in their wake dumped and broken plackards and other rubbish. We always tell kids that dumping litter is wrong and indeed they could and should be issued with a fixed penalty notice. I think evryone on that protest today should consider the example they are setting the young people of this country and take some responsibility for the appauling examples they are seeting our children
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