What to expect Key questions about the teachers’ strikes

Q A Will schools close?

Schools with large numbers of NEU members in England and Wales could close.

Those with only a handful of members are likely to remain open.

The union has about 300,000 members. Teachers who are NEU members will be able to choose whether to strike.

Q

When will the strikes take place?

A

The NEU is planning a mix of national and regional walkouts on seven days, starting on Feb 1 and ending on March 16. Q Will exams and exam

preparation be disrupted? A

Ministers have asked schools to prioritise keeping classes open for GCSE and A-level pupils.

NEU leaders have said that while it is not possible to rule out disruption to exams in the summer, it is unlikely that teachers would strike on exam days.

Q

Will vulnerable children be able to continue to go to school during the strikes?

A

The Government will also ask schools to prioritise children with special educational needs and disabilities, but it will be up to the schools to make the final decision.

Q

What about the children of key workers?

A

The Government has also asked that schools prioritise children of key workers, which include the same range of professions as seen during the pandemic.