Cumbrian teachers joined the national strikes with union members walking out of schools across the county.  

More than 100,000 teachers across England and Wales are striking for better school funding and pay rises to match the growing inflation rates. Sara Newstead, a teacher at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School who took her stance on the picket line said: “I want to see better funding for our pupil’s futures. Teachers are leaving the profession in their droves due to pay and conditions and this means that recruiting can be difficult – our pupils deserve properly trained teachers.” 

Teachers across the UK have been given an average pay rise of 5% which falls around 7% behind the current inflation rate. This is one of many reasons that the strikes have taken place. Strikes are taking place over a series of dates, the first of which occurred on February 1st and each school will be affected by four of the strike dates. In connection with the industrial action, the NEU have also planned rallies on the 15th of March at Westminster and Cardiff to address both Governments.  

Picket lines were seen all over the nation but at Kirkby Stephen Grammer School, despite the cold weather, staff picketing kept morale high. Many teachers and even their dogs turned up for the occasion waving flags at the passing cars to share their message to the local community.  

Despite only having four days of industrial action, out of all public service strikes, teachers have been criticised for acting so seeing the support received was appreciated by all who took part, according to NEU sources. Mrs Newstead added: “We don’t want to be out of the classroom. But we want to see the government funding pay increases so that the quality of pupil education isn’t affected.”