Unions

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

Thursday

21st Dec 2023

Teacher pay body warned to ‘assert its independence’
Unions tell teacher pay body not to feel ‘constrained’ after Gillian Keegan asks it to take financial pressures into account in recommending pay rise for 2024-25
Don’t feel ‘constrained’ by tight school budgets, Teacher pay body warned

Monday

18th Dec 2023

Northern Ireland teachers announce new strike action
Five unions are set to take part in the 24-hour teacher strike over pay in January
Teacher strike

Friday

15th Dec 2023

How England lost its teachers - and how it can get them back
England is suffering an acute undersupply of teachers, and more are leaving than ever before. Matilda Martin investigates why this is happening and whether the trend can be turned around
How did the recruitment and retention crisis happen - and is it fixable?

Monday

11th Dec 2023

Ruth Perry: Heads’ leaders call for pause to Ofsted inspections
ASCL and NAHT say a pause would allow ‘meaningful action to be taken’ following the inquest into the death of Ruth Perry
NAHT and ASCL general secretaries have issued a joint call for Ofsted inspections to be paused after the inquest into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.

Wednesday

6th Dec 2023

DfE can’t yet give end date for RAAC crisis, MPs told
The education secretary, answering MPs’ questions on a range of issues, says some schools are still waiting for a second RAAC building survey
Gillian Keegan select committee

Friday

1st Dec 2023

Call to tackle air pollution in every city school in Scotland
Air-quality monitors in schools are essential for the health of pupils and staff, a teaching union will say this weekend
Call to tackle air pollution in every city school in Scotland

Wednesday

29th Nov 2023

New strike rules will spark High Court battle, heads warn
ASCL leader says he expects DfE plan to impose minimum service levels in schools during teacher strikes to be challenged in the High Court
High court battle looms over teacher strike rules
Exclusive

Tuesday

28th Nov 2023

Teacher strike changes: what the DfE said today
The DfE has published its proposals for maintaining minimum service levels in schools during strikes – here’s what they mean for staff and leaders
DfE strike plans: what schools need to know
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.