Friday 27th January 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
NEU Teachers’ Strike on Wednesday 1st February
Last week I informed you that the National Education Union (NEU) has voted to arrange a series of strikes, in protest of teachers’ pay and conditions, and school funding.
Some of the teachers at Kelvin Grove are members of the NEU, and therefore parts of our school will be closed on Wednesday 1st February.
I am sure that you will understand that our dedicated and hard working teachers have not taken this decision lightly.
The NEU explain: “This is not about a pay rise but correcting historic real-terms pay cuts. Teachers have lost 23% in real-terms since 2010, and support staff 27% over the same period. The average 5% pay rise for teachers this year is some 7% behind inflation. In the midst of a cost of living crisis, that is an unsustainable situation.” In addition, part of this pay rise has NOT been funded by central government, and will have to be found from within the school’s existing budget. This will have a direct impact on the provision at Kelvin Grove and our pupils and staff.
Whilst we are aware of the inconvenience that the strike will cause families, teachers across the UK are asking the Government to listen to their concerns and reconsider their stance to protect education, and enhance the recruitment and retention of teachers.