Multiple classrooms will shut today as teachers walk out on strike in a dispute over pay.

The National Education Union (NEU) voted to go on strike earlier this month, with the first planned day of action on Wednesday (February 1).

NEU branch secretary for Oxfordshire Nick Childs said industrial action 'will likely affect all 347 schools in the county'.

On Wednesday, there is a demonstration planned by those taking industrial action.

Protestors will assemble at the Wesley Memorial Church in New Inn Hall Street for a rally at 12 noon.

From there they will march to Broad Street.

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The NEU is the largest teaching union in the UK with 486,000 members in England and Wales.

It has around 2,800 teacher members in Oxfordshire.

Mr Childs said: "Our members have served notice of strike action on February 1, and March 2, 15, 16 and action will likely affect all 347 schools in the county."

Teachers are striking for a fully funded inflationary pay award.

Mr Childs said: "In our ongoing campaign for a fully funded, above inflation pay rise, teacher members of the National Education Union in Oxfordshire have voted overwhelmingly for strike action and the ballot has successfully surpassed the restrictive thresholds set by Government for strike action.

"We are striking as a last resort and regret the disruption caused to the public.

"We have repeatedly called on the Government to negotiate on pay and school funding, but they continually refuse to do so."

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Strike action is highly damaging to children’s education, particularly following the disruption that children have experienced over the past two years.

"We have been clear we want to support school leaders to do everything they can to keep as many children in school as possible.”

The department also said this year around 40 per cent of classroom teachers will receive pay rises through progression or promotion of up to 15.9 per cent, and those at the top are earning at least £43,685, which they claim is around a third of all classroom teachers.

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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