Unions

The latest news and analysis on teaching unions in the UK, including teacher strikes, pay disputes, industrial action and more

Tuesday

28th Nov 2023

Revealed: DfE plan to keep most pupils in school during strikes
DfE discussion paper says there is a ‘strong case’ for ensuring face-to-face education continues for around 3 in 4 pupils during strikes
The DfE produced a list of pupils who it suggested should remain in school during strikes.
Exclusive

Monday

27th Nov 2023

Further school strikes averted after union members accept offer
Strike action had been suspended earlier this month to allow Unison Scotland members to weigh up the latest pay offer

Thursday

23rd Nov 2023

Heads ‘sick, stressed and terrified’ at the thought of Ofsted
A school leaders’ union report also says 4 in 5 members lack confidence in the inspectorate
4 in 5 heads responding to an NAHT survey say they lack confidence in Ofsted

Wednesday

22nd Nov 2023

Gender pay gap hits 12-year high for secondary heads
Female secondary headteachers earn £3,908 less a year on average than their male counterparts, an analysis reveals
The gender pay gap for secondary school headteachers is at its widest point in 12 years.

Sunday

19th Nov 2023

Autumn Statement 2023: what schools need to know
What did the 2023 Autumn Statement have in store for schools, and how did the sector respond?
Autumn Statement: what can schools expect?

Wednesday

15th Nov 2023

99% of secondary schools face cuts next year, unions claim
The School Cuts website has been relaunched today as unions call on government to increase school spending in the Autumn Statement
The relaunched School Cuts website claims 92 per cent of schools face real terms cuts in 2024-25
Geoff Barton: ‘You have to let people screw up’
In our How I Lead series, we ask education leaders to reflect on their careers, their leadership philosophy and their experience of leading. This month, we talk to ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton
Geoff Barton: ‘You have to let people screw up’

Tuesday

14th Nov 2023

SQA workers back strike action over pay dispute
Unite says SQA members have ‘overwhelmingly’ backed strike action, and that walkouts could have an impact on 2024 exam results
SQA workers back strike action over pay dispute

Saturday

4th Nov 2023

Schools don’t have funds to hire enough staff, poll shows
The vast majority of nearly 4,000 teachers surveyed said current funding levels meant their school could not support learning properly
Schools don’t have funds to hire enough staff, survey finds

Thursday

2nd Nov 2023

School support staff unions agree £1,925 pay deal
But heads’ leaders warn the settlement is likely to ‘further exacerbate the funding pressures’ many schools are facing
Pay deal

Wednesday

1st Nov 2023

More support staff strikes announced in Scotland
Schools in four local authorities have been closed today as a result of strike action, and more walkouts are now scheduled for November
Unison strike action

Friday

27th Oct 2023

RSHE: Keegan ‘undermining’ trust in schools, heads warn
School leaders’ unions say the education secretary’s ‘pursuit of a headline’ over RSHE could damage people’s faith in schools
Union leaders warn that a DfE statement earlier this week on RSHE materials could undermine trust in schools.