Hundreds of thousands of workers on strike in biggest walkout in 10 years

'Thousands' of students turn out to support university staff on the picket lines

"Thousands" of students turned out at demonstrations and on picket lines to support striking university staff.

Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union said that staff had been blown away by the support of their students.

He said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support of thousands of students who have joined us on picket lines across the country.”

It comes as polls repeatedly show that the majority of Brits support strikes as the government continues to refuse to help workers demanding better pay and conditions.

A young protester holds up a sign saying Never Trust a Tory as she joins others at demonstrations in Cambridge today (Getty Images)

Education Secretary wears £10,000 Rolex watch as she tells striking teachers to be ‘realistic’

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan wore a £10,000 Rolex as she told striking teachers they should be “realistic” with their pay demands.

Union boss accuses Tory Grant Shapps of 'lying' about NHS ambulance strike

The Tory minister took to the airwaves as half a million teachers walked out this morning in an effort to secure better pay and conditions in their jobs.

But as she toured the TV studios the Tory wore the pricey watch and lamented workers' attempts to secure a pay rise as not looking after everybody else.

In the past she has claimed critics of her and her £10k Rolex are guilty of “inverted snobbery”.

Gillian Keegan and her £10,000 Rolex

'We are the working class, and we are back' union leader warns

In a speech that took place in London at a National Education Union rally, National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport general secretary Mick Lynch told teachers "we are the working class and we are back".

Addressing thousands of striking teachers, Lynch said: “Welcome to Westminster, the house of fools and the house of the corrupt."

He reminded workers of Grant Schapps, then transport secretary, and his attempts to strong arm rail workers from industrial action last year.

Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of The NEU with Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the RMT (Mark Thomas/REX/Shutterstock)

Lynch continued: “Our message then, as it is today, is every worker needs a pay rise, every worker needs a square deal.

“And our message is sod this, we demand, and we are united. We will not be divided on the basis of who we work for. We will not be divided on the basis of our belief, or the colour of our skin, or the part of the country we are from.

“We are the working-class, and we are back. We are here, we are demanding change, we refuse to be bought, and we are going to win for our people on our terms.”

Primary schools remained more open today as secondary and special schools felt brunt of strikes

Primary schools were fully open far more than secondary and special schools during today's strikes, new data has revealed.

Data from the Department of Education has revealed that almost half of primary schools, 49.8 per cent, were fully open.

This is contrasted to just 16.7 per cent of secondary schools, and 27.9 per cent of special schools.

Similarly, over two in three secondary schools, 70.6 per cent, restricted attendance in an attempt to stay open - as did over half of special schools.

A dog on the picket line in Cornwall (Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)

Less than half of all schools in England fully opened today amid strikes

The Department of Education admitted today that less than half of the 16,400 state schools in England were fully open today, according to its estimates following the strikes.

After half a million teachers walked out, only 45.9 per cent of schools were reported to be fully open, with even less, 44.7 per cent, partly open.

Alongside that 9.3 per cent, almost one in ten schools, were completely closed - but the data was based off of returns from 77.3 per cent of schools in England.

Data shows less than half of state schools in England were fully open today (Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)

However, the vast majority of the schools fully operating today were primary schools, 52.1 per cent, with not even one in five secondary schools being fully open, only 17.4 per cent.

Older students were more affected by the strikes with 73.6 per cent of secondary schools restricting attendance.

The stats reflected the widespread impact of the strikes as workers battle for better pay and conditions.

Union leaders put the education secretary on notice to ‘change her stance’

Union leaders have given the education secretary until the end of the month to “change her stance” or face further walkouts.

Gillian Keegan, who became the fifth education secretary in four months when appointed last October, has been told she has until the next strike day on February 28 to work with unions.

The supposed rising Tory star has so far failed to help teachers and was warned by Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the National Education Union.

They said: “Today, we put the education secretary on notice. She has until our next strike day for England, 28 February, to change her stance.”

Teachers in Cornwall joined those across the country in striking today (Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)

Teachers, nurses, firefighters and more all suffer real terms pay cut over 13 years of Tory rule

Teachers, nurses, firefighters and more vital workers have all suffered significant real term pay cuts in the 13 years since the Tories came to power.

Labour MP Nadia Whittome warned that a number of key workers had seen their pay decline in real terms since 2010, when David Cameron stumbled to power.

The MP for Nottingham East shared the shocking stats that reflect the willingness of so many to stage mass walkouts.

Labour MP Nadia Whittome (Tom Maddick SWNS)

Teachers have suffered a real terms of pay cut of up to 13 per cent, with nurses being hit with a pay cut of up to 20 per cent, and university staff facing the worse of a 25 per cent real terms pay cut.

Firefighters have seen their pay slashed 12 per cent in real terms with public sector workers suffering a six per cent real terms cut on average.

The numbers are thrown into even sharper contrast recently during the cost-of-living crisis.

Parents join teachers in demonstrations across the country despite school disruption

Parents have joined striking teachers in demonstrations across the country, in spite of disruption caused by the industrial action, a union boss said.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union said he believes "more than 200,000" members staged walkouts today.

He also revealed parents had been supportive of the action in many places.

Teachers marched on Westminster today to demand change (TIM ANDERSON)

He said: “We know there were parents on the demonstrations.

“I have just spoken to a parent who came to a demonstration in Birmingham because she’s so outraged about the way her child with special needs has been treated and is on our side.”

The NEU has estimated that around 85% of schools in England and Wales have been affected – either fully closed or partially closed – by the action.

50,000 staff walk out in Scotland

Trade union bosses have demanded “less talk and more action” from the Scottish Government on workers’ pay, as some 50,000 employees north of the border joined a co-ordinated day of strike action.

Civil servants, higher education staff and teachers are among those to have walked out in Scotland on Wednesday.

The day has been branded “walkout Wednesday” because of the scale of the action – the largest such protest in the UK for decades.

With the PCS union which represents civil servants taking part in the action, some Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament staff are involved.

Protesters gather on a picket outside Glasgow Caledonian University (Getty Images)

Their action has led to the Holyrood building being closed to visitors, with some MSPs also refusing to attend parliamentary business during the strike.

The PCS and other unions held a rally in Edinburgh just after midday, with several hundred gathering at The Mound to hear speeches from union leaders.

In Glasgow, hundreds of people attended a solidary rally organised by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), with members of the EIS, PCS, UCU and Unison unions among those taking part in the event on Buchanan Street.

Courts and tribunals are being disrupted, but those due to attend court on Wednesday are still advised to do so by the Crown Office.

Higher education workers have walked out as part of their ongoing dispute over pensions, pay and conditions, with members of the University and College Union at the majority of Scotland’s universities taking strike action.

Meanwhile rolling action by the EIS union has seen teachers in Clackmannanshire and Aberdeen strike on Wednesday.

The teaching union has strike dates planned that run into March and April as it fights for a 10% pay rise for teachers – something the Scottish Government insists is unaffordable.

Roz Foyer, general secretary of the STUC, said while there is a “clear difference” between the Scottish and UK governments in their handling of the strikes, more action is needed from Holyrood ministers.

Rally in Cardiff hears from union leaders

Speaking at the TUC Right to Strike rally in central Cardiff, Laura Doel, director of National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) Wales, said: “For too long, leaders and teachers have been blighted by continued below-inflation pay awards that have seen their pay eroded by over 22% in the last 10 years alone. We are, as a result, suffering from a recruitment and retention problem.

“I don’t know about you, but I think my kids deserve better than that.

“We cannot deliver the next generation of doctors, nurses, great thinkers, leaders and of course future trade unionists without a strong education workforce in place.

To parents concerned about disruption, she said: “Yes there’s disruption in our classrooms, but that disruption already exists because we don’t have what we need to run our schools, we don’t have the funding to employ the people we need.”

Hundreds join the rally in Cardiff (WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

She added: “In a personal message to the UK Government, I’d like to say we’ve had previous governments that have tried to oppress the hard-working people of Wales and it didn’t work then, it’s not going to work now, don’t try it again, we’re ready for you.”

NEU representative Mairead Canavan told the rally: “We’ve been driven to be here, there is nothing else we can do.

“And we will carry on until we get what we want for our children.”

Welsh Government education minister Jeremy Miles told BBC Radio Wales: “I want to reassure pupils and their parents that we are working with our partners to resolve the dispute.

“We have held a number of constructive meetings with unions and local education authorities already and there are further meetings happening this week in an effort to resolve the dispute.

“We don’t want to see schools closed so we are doing absolutely everything we can to resolve the dispute.”

He said the Welsh Government had made an offer to the teaching unions of a one-off payment in this financial year, as well as a commitment to discuss workloads.

“There are very real constraints on the Welsh Government’s budget because of the frankly disgraceful position that the UK Government aren’t making enough funding available across the UK for public services,” he added.

Almost 90% of schools were closed or partially closed today, headteacher survey suggests

Nearly nine in ten schools and sixth-form colleges in England and Wales were either fully or partially shut on Wednesday during strikes, a survey has suggested.

A snap poll by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), of 948 headteachers and principals in England and Wales, suggests the majority of schools have been affected by the first day of walkouts by teachers.

More than a third (35%) of respondents to the poll said more than half of teachers took part in industrial action.

Of the 920 schools and sixth-form colleges where teachers were on strike, 80% of school leaders said they were partially open with some students onsite, 9% said they were completely shut with no students on site, and 11% said they were fully open with all students onsite.

Petition against Trade Union Bill taken to Downing Street

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, hands over the petition (PA)

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak has handed in a petition opposing the Government’s new trade union bill to Downing Street.

The union boss was flanked by a representative of the Fire Brigades Union and the NHS Ambulance Service as he handed in the petition on Wednesday.

Thousands of teachers were also gathered outside Downing Street, demanding better pay and funding for schools.

Teachers say there is "an impending crisis in teaching and education"

Grainne Keating joins the teachers on a demo march in Liverpool (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Teachers across the country are joining marches.

Grainne Keating, 40, a science teacher from Widnes, Cheshire, has joined a march in Liverpool.

He said: “A lot of teachers have second jobs, doing tutoring or whatever, and you hear of teachers having to use foodbanks, which is a disgrace that anybody has to.

“Just the fact that so many people are leaving. It is not a particularly attractive prospect to be a teacher, when actually as far as I am concerned I think it is a really important job.”

Tony Glenhill, 54, a physics teacher in Great Sankey, Cheshire, said: “We have a genuine concern about the future of education.

Ellie Giles, 27, a history teacher in Great Sankey, said: “I’m on strike today because essentially there is just a lack of funding and personally one thing I feel strongly about is the funding for support staff.

“There is just not enough staff in schools at the moment and it is not an issue the government can hide away from for much longer.”

Ben Evans, 31, also a history teacher on the picket line in Great Sankey, said: “The future of teaching is really important. We need the best people and we want the best for our kids and we are going to lose that if we are not properly funded.”

Peter Riley, 28, a history teacher in Great Sankey, said: “There is an impending crisis in teaching and education because the work load is increasing steadily and real terms pay is decreasing.

“So recruitment and retention are dropping year on year. It is not sustainable.”

Mick Lynch address thousands of strikers at Downing Street

Amazing atmosphere at Westminster, I had to catch a taste of it! Solidarity to teachers, lecturers and all those striking today #WalkoutWednesday #TeacherStrike #BreadandRoses pic.twitter.com/RIQDWxWq6x

— Nikki Dravers (@nikkidravers) February 1, 2023

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has told teachers “we are the working class, and we are back” at an NEU rally in Westminster on Wednesday.

Mr Lynch addressed thousands of striking teachers gathered outside Downing Street.

“Welcome to Westminster, the house of fools and the house of the corrupt,” he said.

“Last year, Grant Shapps, remember him? He’s still around. Lurking around all of these buildings here, running the Government, telling Rishi Sunak what to do, trying to ban the working class.

“He was telling the media that the railway workers have got no friends, that we would be back at work, and how dare we ask for a pay rise when teachers can’t afford to live, when nurses are more deserving cases, when public-sector workers can’t get a pay deal.

“Our message then, as it is today, is every worker needs a pay rise, every worker needs a square deal.

Mick Lynch at the "Right To Strike Rally" (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“And our message is sod this, we demand, and we are united. We will not be divided on the basis of who we work for. We will not be divided on the basis of our belief, or the colour of our skin, or the part of the country we are from.

“We are the working-class, and we are back. We are here, we are demanding change, we refuse to be bought, and we are going to win for our people on our terms.”

Protesters challenge government's 'anti-strike' legislation

The government's minimum service levels legislation, dubbed 'anti-strike' is being protested against today.

MPs backed a bill in the Commons by 315 votes to 246 earlier this week that could see some employees require to work during times of industrial action.

Under the proposals, workers on railway lines and emergency services could be sacked if they refuse.

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake claimed the legislation is "proportionate and sensible," but Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, said the bill was "power-hungry."

"Riddled with holes, this bill gives sweeping powers to a power-hungry secretary of state."

Whitehall is packed!
⁦@NEUnion⁩ march#ucuRising pic.twitter.com/kqflKFYvS8

— Dr. Bettina Friedrich (@betty_friedrich) February 1, 2023

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has said they could take the government to court if the legislation passes.

TUC Assistant General Secretary Kate Bell told the PA news agency the legislation "unnecessary, unfair and almost certainly illegal."

Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg called the bill "badly written."

"Education is part of that bill as well," Tory Education Minister Gillian Keegan said earlier today. She said she had been surprised to learn that teachers were not required to say in advance if they were taking part in today's strike.

Striking members and supporters of the National Education Union (NEU) on Regents Street (PA)

'No ifs, no buts, no education cuts' - London marches

Protesters on a mass march in London have been heard shouting "no ifs, no buts, no education cuts," as they make their way through central London.

They are gathering at the heart of British democracy as they challenge the government's controversial 'minimum service levels' legislation.

@RMTunion Mick Lynch with Mary Bousted of @NEUnion at the head of the #RightToStrike demo in London today.
Photo courtesy of @LeftFootFwd pic.twitter.com/bLCBSWaBDU

— RMT (@RMTunion) February 1, 2023

Striking teachers were joined by RMT Secretary General Mick Lynch - rail workers are striking today - and NEU joint General Secretary Mary Bousted.

Secondary school teacher Toby Dawson said while on a march to Westminster: "You see it when it comes to having help for kids with special education needs, the lack of people available to help out the kids who are really in need.

Former Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn joined the march (PA)

The 28-year-old physics teacher said that he is seeing kids with special needs not get the support they need in his own school.

“I have kids that come into school at the beginning of the year, and maybe a couple of times a week they might have someone with them who could help support them with their special education needs,” he said.

“But really that should be every lesson, maybe in the past it would have been like that, but it’s just not happening at the moment.”

"There’s no money to get more teaching assistants and LSAs (Learning Support Assistants) into schools at the moment. I would say that’s probably the number one impact that’s felt."

'We want to have further talks with the unions' - Sunak

PMQs - Starmer blasts 'rank pathetic' government

At PMQs, Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer led with questions on the recent sacking of former Tory chairman Nadhim Zahawi, but a brief exchange on the biggest strike action in over a decade was also heard.

Sunak said Starmer "sides with extremist protesters and union bosses," referencing the Just Stop Oil protests.

Starmer said: "After 13 years in power, trying to blame the Labour Party for his failure to sort out the strikes is rank pathetic. The Tory Party’s addiction to sleaze and scandal has done huge damage to this country and the cost to the public keeps adding up."

Teachers had their own message for Sunak as they met in London today.

They sung "Hey, hey, Sunak, ooh ahh, I want to know if you'll fund my school" to the tune of Hey Baby.

Read more here

Starmer called trying to blame Labour for the strikes "rank pathetic" (PA)

British Museum forced to close amid strike

The British Museum was forced to close today amid a strike by the PCS union.

PCS members - 100,000 members are striking across the country today - walked out of the museum today and forced it to close.

They were paid a visit by General Secretary Mark Serwotka earlier today.

✊ Our General Secretary, Mark Serwotka, pays a flying visit to the British Museum picket ✊#PCSonstrike pic.twitter.com/CELXduJe8i

— PCS Culture Group (@PCSCultureGroup) February 1, 2023

Serwotka said previously: "PCS members are currently using food banks, they are claiming in-work benefits, tens of thousands of them are on the national minimum wage. That’s a scandal."

Striking teachers take to the streets - Regent Street 'blocked'

Striking teachers have been seen on the streets of London and unconfirmed reports indicate the busy thoroughfare of Regent Street is blocked.

The #TeacherStrike rally making its way up Regent Street pic.twitter.com/7p4I00g3Ac

— (@MusicLikeDirt) February 1, 2023

Another march Nottingham has progressed through the city centre, closing a lane of traffic as it approaches Maid Marian Way towards the city’s Albert Hall.

More than 1,000 people gathered in central Leeds for a rally outside the town hall.

The crowds were entertained by the Commoners Choir led by Chumbawamba guitarist Boff Whalley, before moving off for a march down The Headrow.

Workers gathered together in central London (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Teacher blasts politicians who send their children to private school

One teacher has blasted politicians who send their children to private schools, as state education goes without the things "they need."

Catherine Stevenson, 28, who teaches Year 6, said: “We don’t have the resources. Our children don’t have glue sticks or paper or pencils. Special educational needs children aren’t getting what they need either.

“They are not getting the specialist things they need. We have children in our classes with complex needs and they aren’t being supported.”

She called for the government to spend a day at school, adding: "Just come to our school and tell us that we don’t need more funding. Tell us that we don’t need more staff.

She added: “Why are you sending your children to private schools? If public schools are good enough why do private schools even exist? All Children deserve a good education.”

Catherine blasted politicians who send their children to private school (PA)

RMT receives revised offer from Network Rail

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union has said it has received a revised offer from Network Rail.

Thousands of rail staff across the country are on strike again today.

Reports indicate the new offer is similar to the nine per cent pay offer over two years that was rejected by the RMT in December, but that there are added reforms elsewhere in the deal.

An RMT spokesperson said: "We have received a revised offer from Network Rail and our NEC will consider its contents...

"No decision has been made on the proposals nor any of the elements within them. "We will now consult members through branch and regional meetings. "An update on our next steps will be forthcoming in due course."

Currently, another walkout is scheduled for Friday.

RMT Secretary General Mick Lynch (Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)

Teachers concerned that books have to be reused by students

A striking teacher in Brixton has outlined the falling standards in school equipment in recent years.

Secondary school teacher Gemma Owen, 27, said: "We are striking today because of 10 years of austerity where teachers have not been given a fair pay rise, especially now working in long hours with more restrictions and larger class sizes.

Big strike rally at Windrush Square in Brixton #strikes #1Feb pic.twitter.com/zcSwqu9s8i

— Sadie Robinson (@sadier01) February 1, 2023

"We use to be able to give students books for them to write and annotate in now and instead books get taken back in now and are reused. The reading books in my department are very shabby.

Gemma said London teachers "get paid a lot better than across the country."

"We are striking for all teachers across London to have a higher pay... for the amount of effort they put into their jobs and care."

(PA)

Brixton teachers 'burnt out' by 'unrealistic' cuts

Speaking at a picket in central Brixton, Rhonda Albert, 37, a school support staff worker said 14 of her support staff colleagues had been made redundant in recent years.

The NEU rep at Rosendale Primary School in West Dulwich told the Mirror the cuts were “unrealistic”, adding: “We are stretched beyond measure we really are.

“Our workload is overwhelming. It’s too much. Instead of being able to support one class we are supporting three classes.

“You are just burnt out. You are not even having an impact on the children because there’s isn’t enough time with them.”

Calling for the education secretary to properly fund schools, she added: “I want them to take a step in our shoes and know what it feels like.

“How can the people on the outside decide what happens on the inside. They need to fund us.”

Her colleague Tom Milne, 55, a primary teacher, added: “There is not enough staff and the education you can provide is materially damaged by that.

“If you teach you want to do the best for your children and unless you have tried to run a class of 30 children by yourself - you don’t know what a difference it makes.

“The key thing is more staff. When budgets are cut and you lose support staff, that limits what you can do in the classroom for children, especially those that need specific support.”

Reception teacher Anya James, 30, warned teachers are “leaving in their droves”.

Speaking from a picket in Brixton, the NEU rep at Elm Wood Primary School, Lambeth, said: “We are here because we want better for the children.

“We want better for teachers and everyone in education.

“We want people to value what we do and not just see it as childcare. We are shaping the future and without children having a strong foundation and education - the future is bleak.

“We need to invest in all children across the board and the only way to do that is to make education a career people want to get into. At the moment it isn’t appealing to people."

Teachers say they are feeling "burnt out" (PA)

Keep teachers in schools, teachers plead

Teachers at picket lines have said it is vital that the government works to retain teachers and stop them from leaving.

Secondary school teacher David Moughton sums it up simply. “I love this job,” he says. “I love what education is and what it stands for. I want the future of education to be amazing and bright but unfortunately it’s just not being invested in.”

The 31-year-old, who works in Stockton-on-tees, County Durham, went on strike today and believes the biggest issue to be recruitment and retention of staff.

“We are not getting enough new teachers and we are not keeping them either,” says David. “Subjects are struggling to attract new teachers, but more importantly in my opinion, is actually a fact that when people start it is very unlikely they are going to last for very long.

"The current statistic is one in four leave within two years of qualifying.”Although teachers were given a 5% pay rise this year, it came out of school budgets, which David describes as a really unpleasant feeling.

“When we are in a crisis of funding, where the national picture is so bleak for us as a system, then for the decision to be made, to ask for a pay rise out of school budgets when we need those budgets and my fellow colleagues need those budgets, the leadership in my school needs those budgets,” he says. “You really feel undervalued, and you feel like the government isn’t supporting you, when we’re trying to make the world a better place.”

Teachers and supporters wave flags and hold placards as they picket outside Bishop Thomas Grant (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Keep teachers in schools, teachers plead

Teachers at picket lines have said it is vital that the government works to retain teachers and stop them from leaving.

Secondary school teacher David Moughton sums it up simply. “I love this job,” he says. “I love what education is and what it stands for. I want the future of education to be amazing and bright but unfortunately it’s just not being invested in.”

The 31-year-old, who works in Stockton-on-tees, County Durham, went on strike today and believes the biggest issue to be recruitment and retention of staff.

“We are not getting enough new teachers and we are not keeping them either,” says David. “Subjects are struggling to attract new teachers, but more importantly in my opinion, is actually a fact that when people start it is very unlikely they are going to last for very long.

"The current statistic is one in four leave within two years of qualifying.”

Although teachers were given a 5% pay rise this year, it came out of school budgets, which David describes as a really unpleasant feeling.

“When we are in a crisis of funding, where the national picture is so bleak for us as a system, then for the decision to be made, to ask for a pay rise out of school budgets when we need those budgets and my fellow colleagues need those budgets, the leadership in my school needs those budgets,” he says. “You really feel undervalued, and you feel like the government isn’t supporting you, when we’re trying to make the world a better place.”

'The idea teachers start work at 8am and finish at 3pm is just wrong'

Striking teachers have told of the many reasons they have taken part in industrial action in search of better pay today.

Teacher and single mum Lucy Hoyle qualified as a full-time teacher in 2017, but is striking today as she seeks better pay.

Lucy, 33, admits having to pay for books and supplies from her own pocket. as school funding plummets. She has even had to take a second job tutoring to take care of her daughter.

"The idea teachers start work at 8am and finish at 3pm is just wrong," she tells the Mirror.

"If I only worked those hours and actually took my weekends and holiday off, the children would not be getting the education they need."

Read the Mirror's exclusive with Lucy here

Lucy said she has bought supplies out of her own pocket (AFP via Getty Images)

Striking teachers around the country talk of 'crisis in schools'

Teachers in Warrington, Cheshire, joined today’s walk out which is affecting around 23,000 schools in England and Wales.

At Great Sankey High School in the town, motorists honked their horns in support of pickets who gathered outside at first light.

Physics teacher and NEU rep Tony Glenhill, 54, said: "We have a genuine concern about the future of education.

"There are number of reasons why the teaching profession has become less attractive since I started in the job. Pay is one of them.

"We have seen a crisis in schools in terms of recruitment and retention and it does not look to be getting any better.

We’re on strike because we care about our school and the pupils we teach. Fantastic turnout at #Nottingham Academy @NEUnion members, children and dogs to #SaveOurSchools #PayUp #EnoughIsEnough #TeacherStrike pic.twitter.com/xgFbBOxw6W

— NEU East Midlands (@NEUEastMidlands) February 1, 2023

History teacher Ellie Giles, 27, said: "I’m on strike today because essentially there is just a lack of funding and personally one thing I feel strongly about is the funding for support staff.

"There are kids in the education system who are desperately lacking the one to one support."

Classrooms at the school, which has more than 2,100 pupils, were open today for youngsters studying for their GCSEs and A levels.

History teacher Ben Evans said many pupils were interested in the reasons why their teachers had walked out.

"Because we are history teachers they have been asking questions and they have been supportive," he said.

"They want to receive a good education. They want to do as well as they can and they recognise the efforts and the support of their teachers, especially over the last few years."

"One pay cheque away from homelessness" - cabinet office civil servant

More than 100,000 civil servants from the PCS union are striking today, but the effects are even being felt among staff at the heart of government.

One has even said she is "one pay cheque away from homelessness."

Cabinet office civil servant Ellie Clarke, 31, said: "It is really, really hard. I am terrified every day. I am always worried I am one crisis away from homelessness.

"I am just one pay cheque away from being homeless. We shouldn’t be in this situation… we are working for the Government."

A Cabinet Office spokesman told the Mirror: "We greatly value the work of civil servants, but the PCS Union’s demands would cost an unaffordable £2.4 billion at a time when our focus must be on bringing down inflation to ease the pressure on households across the country, protecting the vulnerable and rebuilding our economy.

“That is why public sector pay awards strike a careful balance between recognising the vital importance of public sector workers, while delivering value for taxpayers, not increasing the country’s debt further and being careful not to drive even higher prices in the future."

PCS members outside the treasury (PA)

'We'll be back on the 28th' - teacher not optimistic over union talks

One teacher has said he is not optimistic that the government will reach a settlement with the NEU and thinks staff will be "back on the 28th."

The NEU has said members in the North, North-west and Yorkshire and the Humber will walk out again if negotiations continue to falter.

Teachers Union (NEU) General Secretary, Kevin Courtney, invites you to join the biggest Union strike and demo in living memory - be there if you can.

#Solidarity #RightToStrike pic.twitter.com/lSPjr3PBnC

— Steve Jones (@CerdynJones) February 1, 2023

James Hibbard, a head of year at Myton School in Warwick, said: "I think we’ll be back on the 28th. I’d like to think it will show to people there’s a little bit of disruption.

"That’s going to help people realise the struggle that we’re in but don’t necessarily think the Government will listen to that straight away.

"But I think they need to start thinking about the way funding streams work and how we can get a fully-funded education system."

Teachers on a picket line at Great Sankey High School, in Warrington Cheshire (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)