More than 5,500 pupils will miss school today as teachers across the county take part in a national strike.

At least 34 schools in Cumbria are closed or partially closed as a result of the industrial action.

The majority are in north and west Cumbria and include both primary and secondary schools. Some are closing completely while others are managing to keep some classes running.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is taking industrial action - the first national strike day since 2014 - to increase funding to schools and education, guarantee terms and conditions, and to resume negotiations on teacher contracts to allow workload to be addressed.

Speaking ahead of this morning's walk out, Chris Brooksbank, secretary of the Cumbria branch of the NUT, anticipated the strike would be well supported.

He added: "Teachers go into the profession to make a difference to children’s lives and to develop in them a love of learning.

"No teacher takes strike action lightly. Inadequate levels of funding, however, are having a negative effect on both children and teachers that must not go unchallenged."

He urged education secretary Nicky Morgan to listen.

Anticipating the strike, John Barrett, Cumbria County Council's assistant director of early help and learning, wrote to all schools last week.

He explained: "The decision to close, or partially close, the school should be taken based upon the headteacher’s judgement on the extent to which the school can operate safely and effectively.

"Clearly aspects which will influence this decision will be: the numbers of staff involved in industrial action and whether those remaining can ensure the safe working of the school. It may be that there are sufficient staff available to require only a partial closure.

"Headteachers and chairs of governors must ensure that the decision taken can be justified to their governing body, staff and parents."

Where they have chosen to close, most schools have informed parents directly of their decision via letter or text message.


The full list of schools affected in Cumbria is:

All Saints' CofE School, Cockermouth - closed to children in years 3 and 6

Appleby Primary School – closed to class 2.4

Barrow Island Community Primary School, Barrow

Belle Vue primary, Carlisle - closed for years 3 and 4

Bishop Harvey Goodwin School, Carlisle

Brampton Primary School, Brampton

Brook Street Primary School, Carlisle

Broughton primary, near Cockermouth

Broughton Moor Primary School, Maryport

Caldew School, Dalston - closed for years 8, 9 and 10

Dent School, Dent

Derwent Vale Primary School and Nursery, Great Clifton, near Workington

Eaglesfield Paddle, near Cockermouth

Ewanrigg juniors, Maryport (trip to London still going ahead)

Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, Kirkby Stephen

Millom Infant School, Millom

Monkwray Junior School, Whitehaven - open for pupils in Years 3 and 4

Norman Street Primary School, Carlisle

Orgill Primary School, Egremont

Ormsgill Primary School, Barrow – closed for years 2 and 5 only

Pennine Way Primary School, Carlisle

Robert Ferguson School, Carlisle

Seaton St Paul's Junior School, Seaton

Shankhill Primary School, Hethersgill

St Begh's Catholic Junior School

St Benedict's, Whitehaven - only open for years 7, 8 and 9

St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Windermere

St James' Infant School, Whitehaven - closed for years 1 and 2 only. The school remains open for reception children

St James' Junior School, Whitehaven

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Cockermouth

St Patrick's School, Kendal

Stanwix school, Carlisle

Thomlinson juniors, Wigton

Thwaites School, Millom

Trinity School, Carlisle - closed for years 8, 9 and 10

Vickerstown School, Barrow

Westfield Nursery and Primary School, Workington

William Howard School, Brampton - only open for year 12 students. Start-up days will run as advertised

Workington Academy, Workington - only open to pupils in years 10 and 12

Wreay Primary School