School Closures As Teachers Go On Strike

Members of the NUT (National Union Of Teachers) and NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers) are taking industrial action on Thursday 17th October and a number of local schools in the Sittingbourne area are likely to be affected.

The unions are taking the action over a range of issues affecting teachers including pay, pensions, what they say are excessive workloads, working conditions and job cuts. They say teachers are deeply concerned about the impact these imposed changes are having on the morale of the teaching profession, the recruitment and retention of teachers and on the provision of quality education for pupils.

The Government's Education Secretary, Michael Gove, is accused of making changes to teachers' pay, pensions and conditions of service which in turn are making it harder for schools to recruit and retain good teachers. The main bone of contention in this dispute is the Government's intention to introduce of a tougher version of performance related pay in, what the unions describe, is an attack on national pay structures. 

It is anticipated that three Sittingbourne schools will be completely closed to pupils tomorrow - Westlands, Sittingbourne Community College and Murston Junior School. These three schools will be shut to all year groups whilst there will also be partial closures at Fulston Manor, Borden Grammar and the Milton Court Academy.

Stay tuned to 106.9 SFM for the latest on those school closures from 7.00am on "Pete Flynn In The Morning" or check this website and/or our Twitter feed @SFMRadio - which is also displayed on our Main Page on this website.