Teacher strikes 2023: ‘We’re striking for our children’s futures’

“Teachers are leaving in droves, a third gone within five years of qualifying.”
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Thousands of teachers across England and Wales are staging their first day of industrial action since 2016, over pay and funding cuts.

More than 100,000 National Education Union (NEU) members walked out on Wednesday February 1, along with university staff, civil servants, train and bus drivers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nicknamed “Walkout Wednesday”, this is the biggest day of industrial action the country has seen in a decade.

A group of teachers gathered outside Tooting Broadway station this morning, with many passers-by showing solidarity.

Striking teachers outside Tooting Broadway Station. Credit: LondonWorldStriking teachers outside Tooting Broadway Station. Credit: LondonWorld
Striking teachers outside Tooting Broadway Station. Credit: LondonWorld

Siobhan Hitch, a Year 6 teacher at Penwortham primary school in Streatham, said she’s striking over pay and the chronic funding shortages.

“I’m striking today for several reasons. Firstly, teachers salaries have been cut essentially over the last few years but it’s not just that, it’s funding for schools,” she told LondonWorld.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There’s a chronic shortage of funding. Teachers’ pay rises had to come out of existing budgets, they weren’t given any extra money for those pay rises.

“There are still shortages for basic resources, for support staff to support children with special needs.”

This is the first of seven days in February and March, and the action is expected to impact more than 23,000 schools in England and Wales.

The union says real-term pay cuts are leading to a “recruitment and retention crisis”.

Brian Cairns,  NEU officer for Wandsworth (left) and Siobhan Hitch, Year 6 teacher at Penwortham primary school (right)Brian Cairns,  NEU officer for Wandsworth (left) and Siobhan Hitch, Year 6 teacher at Penwortham primary school (right)
Brian Cairns, NEU officer for Wandsworth (left) and Siobhan Hitch, Year 6 teacher at Penwortham primary school (right)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Brian Cairns, an NEU officer for Wandsworth, said teacher retention is a huge issue in the area.

“What we’re incredibly worried about is the turnover of staff in schools. We call it ‘churn’,” he said.

“It’s as much as 40% in a year in some of our schools.

“People cannot afford to live in Wandsworth, they can’t afford to teach in Wandsworth so they move out.

“Our children are subject to that churn. It’s bound to have an effect on the stability.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“School is for some children the most stable part of their lives.

“SEND funding for special education needs is also being terribly affected, We know those children are not getting the attention they need and the courses they need in school.”

Lucy Scott, Year 3 teacher at Penwortham primary school (left) and Xanthe Maggs, Art specialist (right)Lucy Scott, Year 3 teacher at Penwortham primary school (left) and Xanthe Maggs, Art specialist (right)
Lucy Scott, Year 3 teacher at Penwortham primary school (left) and Xanthe Maggs, Art specialist (right)

Lucy Scott, a Year 3 teacher at Penwortham primary school, said “A lot of teachers are leaving the education system within three to five years of teaching.

“They can’t afford to live in London, they can’t afford to live. We need a pay rise.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s really important for our children’s future. They deserve the education.”

Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the NEU said: “Teachers are leaving in droves, a third gone within five years of qualifying.

“This is a scandalous waste of talent and taxpayers’ money, yet the government seems unbothered about the conditions they are allowing schools and colleges to slide into.

“We regret having to take strike action, and are willing to enter into negotiations at any time, any place, but this situation cannot go on.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “One school closure is too many, and it remains deeply disappointing that the NEU proceeded with this disruptive action – but many teachers, head teachers and support staff have shown that children’s education and wellbeing must always come first.

“Conversations with unions are ongoing and I will be continuing discussions around pay, workload, recruitment and retention, and more.”