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Teachers strike today (Thursday) to affect West Berks schools





The industrial action is being staged by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union Women Teachers (NASUWT).
Both unions are in dispute with the Government over what they claim are excessive workloads and bureaucracy, cuts and changes to pensions and performance-related pay.
West Berkshire NASUWT spokesman Paul Watkins said: “(Education Secretary) Michael Gove won’t come to the table and talk. “We’ve not said no to anything - what we want is negotiations and he is dismissing us as a bunch of trouble makers. We want the secretary of state to act as a responsible employer and talk in a serious manner.”
He added: “It’s with deep sympathy and a heavy heart that teachers take action and I don’t do it lightly but I believe the future of our education system is in jeopardy in [Gove’s] hands.
“I understand [parents’] frustrations and urge them to see the bigger picture. We want to be treated like professionals and have an education system that’s fit for purpose.”
West Berkshire NUT divisional secretary Keith Watts (pictured), who was headteacher at Shaw-Cum Donnington Primary School for 24 years, said: “Teachers have been trying to get Michael Gove in to talks for two years and he has refused, so this is a last resort to gain his attention. If parents are upset they should complain to him. All we want is discussions and he won’t enter them.”
As the Newbury Weekly News went to press West Berkshire Council had been notified by more than 30 of the 86 schools across West Berkshire that they would be closed or partially closed, including, John O’Gaunt, Kennet School, Park House, St Bartholomew’s, Theale Green and Trinity.
In letters to parents many headteachers have stated that there would be an insufficient number of staff to run schools safely.
Headteacher at Kennet School in Thatcham, Paul Dick, said: “I very much regret this action and urge the Government and the parties involved to work out their differences. I resent very much the disruption to children’s education.”
The strike in West Berkshire is part of a wider action across the south east, south west, London and the north east and follows a mass walkout in the north of the country earlier this month.
It comes in the same week that firefighters are set to stage a five hour strike on Saturday due to changes to their pension scheme, which they say is “unworkable.”
Newbury MP Richard Benyon called on teachers to defy their unions and added: “I don’t think anybody wants them to go on strike because of the impact it has on children’s education and the alternative plans parents have to make.
“Teachers in West Berkshire are outstanding and have achieved brilliant results but I get fed up with the action and rhetoric of union leaders and feel they don’t reflect the view of teachers that I have talked to.”
Mr Benyon said that most parents he had spoken to believed that the Government’s proposals for education were “on the right track” and that changes needed to be made.



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