NATIONAL Education Union teacher members working in schools and sixth form colleges in Cumbria will go on strike on Wednesday (February 1).

The ballots of teacher and support staff members closed on January 13, 2023.

The ballot of sixth form college teachers closed on November 11, 2022.

The strike is in pursuance of a fully funded, above inflation pay rise.

Beth Farhat, regional secretary for the National Education Union, said: “The Government cannot expect strikes to be averted unless it brings forward concrete proposals for increasing pay. Experienced teachers have seen 23 per cent real terms pay cut since 2010. Given the current cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation, this is clearly an unsustainable situation for our members. The Government appears to have nothing to say to them.

“As well as allowing the profession to haemorrhage talent, the Government has missed its own targets for recruitment by an enormous margin and has done so for many years. Any sensible Government would by now have started to ask themselves why.

“Our members are taking a stand today for a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise, because the profession cannot go on like this. Parents know the consequences of persistent underfunding, both for their school/college and for their child. This strike should not be necessary, and we regret the disruption caused to parents and pupils, but our aims are in the interests of everyone in the education community.”

In Cumbria, teachers from the following schools will be involved in the action: Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, Ulverston Victoria High School, Walney School, St Pius X RC Primary School, Cockermouth School Academy, Newbarns Primary and Nursery, Dowdales School, Netherhall School, Chetwynde School, Ullswater School, North Lakes, Cartmel Area, St Benedict’s, The Nelson Thomlinson, Kirkby Stephen Grammar, The Nelson Thomlinson, Dallam School, Kingmoor Junior Schools, Norman Street Primary, Keswick School, Beaconside School, Mayfield School and St James Infant School.

Official pickets will be held at selected school gates from 7.30am-9.00am.

In Barrow, a demo will take place at 28 Duke Street at 11am.