Schools across Cumbria are set to be disrupted this week as the latest round of teachers’ strike action begins.

Teachers who are members of the National Education Union (NEU) are set to walk out on Tuesday, May 2 as their pay dispute continues with the government.

The government had made an offer of a £1,000 one-off payment for the current school year and a 4.5 per cent rise for most teachers next year rejected by an ‘overwhelming’ 98 per cent of NEU teacher members in England on a turnout of 66 per cent.

Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretaries of the National Education, said: "No teacher wants to be on strike.

“Nor can they accept this offer that does nothing to address the decades of below inflation pay increases making them the worst paid teachers in the UK.

“Gillian Keegan needs to start negotiations with respect for the profession she is supposedly representing in Government.

"To parents we say that we have no wish to disrupt education, indeed our action is aimed at getting the Government to invest in the education of this generation of children and the people who teach them.”

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A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “We have made a fair and reasonable teacher pay offer to the unions, which recognises teachers' hard work and commitment.

“Next year, school funding will be at its highest level in history – per pupil, in real terms.

The full list of school closures for North and West Cumbria is as follows:

  • The Bishop Harvey Goodwin School, Carlisle - School will be closed all day apart from vulnerable children.
  • Derwent Vale Primary School and Nursery, Workington  
  • Gosforth Church of England School
  • Brampton Primary School - School will be closed to Nursery, Year 4 and Year 5 only.
  • Ewanrigg Junior School
  • Monkwray Junior School, Whitehaven
  • West Lakes Academy - School is closed on Tuesday 2nd May 2023 to years 7-10 and year 12 (unless in BTEC exam)
  • Mayfield School, Whitehaven
  • Calthwaite Church of England School, Penrith
  • Ivegill Church of England School, Carlisle 
  • Kirkby Stephen Grammar School - School is closed except for Year 11 and 13
  • Lazonby Church of England School 
  • St Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Penrith 
  • Hayton Church of England Primary School 
    • Oughterside Primary School, Wigton - School will be closed for Years 1,2,3 and 4 due to industrial action. It will remain partially open for EYFS, Reception, Year 5 and Year 6.
    • Brook Street Primary School, Carlisle - School will be open to early years, and year 4