Teachers walk out in South West in dispute over pay

Thursday's protests follow national industrial action in February

Teachers from across the south west of England are striking over an ongoing dispute over pay and funding.

On Thursday, members of the National Education Union (NEU) walked out calling for above-inflation pay rises and more government funding.

It follows national industrial action in February, after the union rejected a package offered by ministers.

The government said it was "hugely disappointing" the strike action was continuing.

Protests are taking place across the region including in Plymouth, Truro and Exeter.

Teachers have walked out on Thursday in a dispute over pay and funding

Alex Moore, Plymouth district secretary for the union, said: "Teachers don't expect to get rich.

"We do expect fair pay, we do expect a reasonable work-life balance and we do expect to be able to make a good, positive difference and make a real difference to the lives of children.

"Unfortunately that's not what we're feeling at the moment."

'Cry for help'

Ruth Morecock, head of art at Penair Secondary School in Truro, was out on the picket line and said: "I'm a passionate teacher as are my colleagues. We believe in state education and that state education should be funded effectively so every single child no matter their ability or where they come from should get a really good quality of education.

"At the moment funding is not adequate."

Rachel Curley, deputy general secretary for the NEU, said: "Parents and grandparents know schools are running on empty and teachers have had enough.

"This is a cry for help."

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said "as a government, we have made a serious offer to the leaders of the National Education Union".

"It is hugely disappointing the NEU has thus far refused this serious offer and has not joined the Royal College of Nursing in calling off strikes.

"Children deserve to be in school, and further strike action is simply unforgivable, especially after everything children have been through because of the pandemic."

Protests are taking place across the region including in Plymouth, Truro and Exeter (pictured)

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