AHEAD of a possible strike next Tuesday Hampshire County Council has been providing advice to schools on the implications of the potential action.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is in an on-going national dispute with the government in respect of changes to the education sector, and pay, conditions and pensions.
The council has written to all head teachers, providing information for staff on the implications of striking, or otherwise being absent, or partially performing work duties on strike day.
This action also has the potential to impact on academy schools.
Head teachers are being asked, where possible, to fin d out if any staff will be striking so they may determine the likely impact on their school, including full or partial closure.
This is to enable parents and carers to be advised in advance, if possible, so that they can make alternative arrangements where required on strike day, July 5.
But this may prove problematical, as teachers do not have to advise their head teacher of their intention to strike.
Councillor Peter Edgar said: “I hope the decision of the union to ask its members to take part in industrial action does not lead to widespread disruption to pupils’ education.
"This dispute is not with the council but with the government over changes to teachers’ pay, pensions and conditions, as well as reforms to the education sector.
“Any decisions to close schools will be for individual head teachers and their governing bodies to make.
"They will have to decide whether they have sufficient staff to enable them to open the school safely, and maintain a full or revised curriculum, and it may not be possible for schools to gauge the impact of the strike until the actual day. Staff that strike will not be paid for that day in accordance with nationally set legislation.
As always, our primary concern is for the education and welfare of children.”
Schools and education centres have been advised to use the usual procedures to notify parents and the county council of any closures or other arrangements such as partial closures, by updating full details on the website www.hants.gov.uk/schoolclosures. Where known, schools will be able to notify closures on the website up to five days in advance of the action.