Strike action 'to affect 1,000 schools'

Parents tonight started hearing about the number of schools expected to close because of a pay strike by teachers, as a Government minister expressed "disappointment" at the walkout.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said parents across the country would share his feelings about the stoppage, which is set to close up to 1,000 schools in England and Wales and affect many others, on Thursday.

The National Union of Teachers has called the strike in protest at a 2.45% pay rise this year which it believes will make recruiting new staff more difficult.

Mr Balls said on a visit to a children's centre in London: "I'm on the side of parents who will be disappointed if their children's education is disrupted on Thursday, because we have decided to accept an independent pay review.

"The majority of teachers do not want to strike."

Ivan Ould, chairman of the National Employers' Organisation for School Teachers, which represents children's services authorities and local education authorities in England and Wales, said: "Children so close to their exams will lose out on invaluable study time and parents will lose out as they are forced to take unnecessary holiday to look after them.

"The pay award was based on an independent body's recommendation and provides a deal that is both fair to teachers and affordable for the taxpayer.

"Councils and schools are working together to ensure the minimum possible disruption."

Most schools only reopened today after the Easter holidays, although some had an extra training day, so a full pictures of closures will not be known until nearer the strike.

Local government employers believe the effect of the industrial action will vary depending on the concentration of NUT membership.

A number of authorities in London have indicated that most of their schools will be closed on Thursday.

About 100,000 civil servants and thousands of council workers will also go on strike on Thursday in separate disputes over pay.

Schools minister Jim Knight said later: "I am very disappointment about the expected strike this week, but that is nothing compared to the disappointment of parents, whose children's lessons will be disrupted.

"It is very important that parents are aware of what is happening and are informed as soon as possible about whether their child's school will be affected.

"That is why, last week, my Department and the Association of Directors of Children's Services have together written to local authorities to emphasise the need to minimise closures and any disruption to pupils and parents.

"It is for individual schools to inform parents about what is happening at their school and I understand this may be complicated for those schools that are just coming back from their Easter break. But it is important parents know where they stand and whether they need to make arrangements for childcare or work as soon as possible."