Thousands of children across borough to miss lessons amid teacher strike action
By The Editor
31st Jan 2023 | Local News
Two primary schools and one secondary school in the borough will close on Wednesday in response to strike action by more than 500 teachers.
At the same time, another 37 schools across Richmond will be partially closed while a number will offer some form of remote learning, as seen during Covid-19 lockdowns.
One teachers' union has advised members not to alert headteachers as to whether they would be joining the strike in order to maximise the disruption.
The biggest impact will be felt in the borough's primary schools where some 405 teachers will join the strike over pay.
As result, many parents will have to take time off work in order to carry out caring duties.
The schools have contacted parents directly to set out which schools will close and which classes and year groups will required to stay at home.
Richmond Borough Council has decided not to name the schools which will close, however it provided details of the impact of the disruption to Nub News.
Richmond Primary Schools
405 teachers are on strike
2 schools are closed
30 schools are partially closed.
5 schools are fully open.
No school is offering remote learning
The majority of schools are providing support to vulnerable children and children with an Education, Health and Care plan
Richmond Secondary Schools
1 school is closed
7 schools are partially closed
1 school is fully open
8 schools are offering remote learning
All are providing provision for vulnerable children
Special Schools
2 are partially closed
1 school is fully open
A spokesperson said: "All schools have been in communication with their parents and caregivers to explain the arrangements that are being made to ensure the safety of all the children as far as possible during the periods of the strike.
"Schools have given information to parents on how to access warm hubs, and arrangements made for those eligible for free school meals to be supported with a packed lunch or food vouchers."
The joint general secretary of the National Education Union said it is 'very appropriate' that teachers are not telling headteachers about plans for the strike.
Kevin Courtney told Sky News: "The Government is letting our children down.
"There is disruption every day in our schools because the Government isn't investing in our schools or the people who work in them. The point about tomorrow is that it is a strike. We want our strike to be effective in order to concentrate the Government's mind.
"It is not the same as a natural phenomenon like Covid where we would be doing everything we could to make sure schools were running as well as possible."
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