Horsham district braces for teacher strikes

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) plan to strike on Thursday October 17.

Last time these two unions took similar action, around 75 per cent of schools in West Sussex closed.

Parents are being advised to check with their child’s school to see what impact the industrial action is likely to have and whether the school will be closed or partially closed to some classes.

Decisions about whether to close a school for the day are taken by individual head teachers and governing bodies.

If a school remains open the head teacher and governing body need to check they have appropriate staffing arrangements in place in order to ensure the safety of pupils.

The County Council has stressed that the industrial action is the result of a national dispute between the Government and the teaching unions over which it has no local control.

People can find details of any school closures or partial closures on the County Council website – www.westsussex.gov.uk – by clicking on the green ‘Grid for Learning’ link.

Parents can also check on individual school websites.