Heads of schools are likely to join teachers in striking in the new academic year, according to the union that represents them – a move that is likely to lead to far more school closures on strike days in England from September.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has told the Observer that although its strike ballot does not close until the end of July, it is “confident” that it will get past the threshold required for action, based on internal polling.
Schools in England face further disruption this week, with teachers belonging to the National Education Union (NEU) walking out again on Wednesday and Friday, and many schools closing fully or partially.
The NAHT said headteachers, who are struggling to deal with a shortage of teachers and support staff and the prospect of serious deficits next year, are “hurt and angry” that the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, has repeatedly accused striking teachers of failing to put children’s interests first.
Paul Whiteman, NAHT’s general secretary, said: “Heads see through the disgraceful misdirection from this government as they try to win public sympathy. They are picking a political fight, and blow the consequences for children.”
Adding that all levels of the teaching profession are now “united in their desperation”, he said: “School leaders have to be pushed a long way before they take action, but they know they just can’t keep their schools on the road.”
Matt Jessop, headteacher of Crosthwaite Church of England primary school in Cumbria, said: “The strength of feeling is off the charts. There isn’t a single aspect of the education system that isn’t in crisis at the moment.”
Jessop said his small rural school is struggling to give children the support they need after 12 years of cuts to external public services, including support for mental health and special educational needs.
He added: “Ministers who say there is enough money in the system to cover all our rising costs are lying through their teeth.”
The independent School Teachers’ Review Body has recommended teachers get a 6.5% pay rise – 2% higher than the government offer which teachers overwhelmingly rejected in April. But a senior Treasury minister confirmed last weekend that the government would be willing to block such recommendations.
Headteachers are furious that they are heading into the summer holidays with no clear idea of what their salary bill – which is by far their biggest expense – will look like for next year. They have warned that without extra funding they will reach the brink, with no option but to cut staff and move to class sizes of anything up to 60 children.
Dan Hansen, head of Hazel Community primary school in one of the most deprived areas of Leicester, said: “How can I hire the support staff we need or transport our kids to the swimming lessons that really matter to them if I might be hit with an unfunded £60,000 staff bill over the holidays?”
Hansen is not a union member but said he would join NAHT in order to strike in September.
He told the Observer: “I have written making it clear to parents that we support our striking teachers. I’m not afraid to tell them education is being underfunded and none of this is our doing.”
The head of a primary school in Sussex, who asked not to be named, said: “I voted yes because we are already in crisis. Teachers are leaving in their droves and we don’t have enough support staff.”
She added: “Schools are buckling under the strain of making up for all the other support for children that is missing. It feels like we are constantly putting a plaster on an amputation.”
All four major education unions are balloting their members about “unprecedented” coordinated strike action.
Mary Bousted, the general secretary of the NEU, said she was confident that both the school leaders’ unions would be successful in their ballots. Many schools have managed to open some classes with teachers on strike, but she stressed that they could not open at all without a head at the helm.
She added: “This government has given up on education. They are prepared to sacrifice the supply of teachers to make a political point.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “Any strike action is hugely damaging. We have made a fair and reasonable pay offer to teachers recognising their incredible work and commitment.”
They added: “Thousands of schools received significant additional funding, as part of the extra £2bn of investment we are providing both this year and next.”
• This article was amended on 2 July 2023. An earlier headline referenced the UK; this strike is happening in England.
