Classrooms left empty as first strikes take effect
A NUMBER of Jewish schools were forced to close on Wednesday as the country’s largest teaching union, the National Education Union, staged the first in a series of planned strikes in coming weeks over pay and conditions.
JFS headteacher David Moody said, “Unfortunately, with nearly half of teachers opting to strike, the school has had to close for the day. We will be providing resources to all pupils. Small groups of students are also being invited in for intervention where possible.”
JCoSS in East Barnet has also shut its gates as there would have been too few staff available to ensure onsite safety. “Students will be remotely working on Teams and live lessons will be taught by teachers not striking,” a spokesman said.
Hannele Reece, headteacher of King Solomon High School in Essex, said, “We will be closed for all students except those who need the most support or are most vulnerable whom we have specifically invited in. Students who would normally receive free school meals are being provided with food vouchers.”
Pupils had been provided with work to do. While the situation was frustrating, she said, “it is a clear indication of how strongly school staff feel about unfunded pay rises that are only going to damage the education system in the long term”.
Yavneh College has remained open for
It is a clear indication of how strongly school staff feel
years 7, 11, 12 and 13 and the most vulnerable students, while King David High School Manchester for years 10 to 13.
Andrew McClusky, executive headteacher of the Hasmonean High Schools, said, “We have endeavoured to put on a programme for as many students as possible but in line with government guidance have prioritised our most vulnerable students and children of key workers.”
He added, “For students in older years we have managed to arrange some face-face religious education. We are hoping to teach as many secular classes as possible remotely but for those lessons where teachers are striking or otherwise unavailable, students will be redirected to relevant online resources for independent working.”
There has been less disruption in the primary sector with Yavneh Primary and Rosh Pinah among the schools that have stayed open.