Planned Strike Action

You will very likely be aware that one of the largest teaching unions, the National Education Union, has released the results of its ballot on teacher pay. The results of the ballot revealed that teachers within this union voted overwhelmingly to take strike action over pay.

Why have teachers voted to strike?

The cost of living crisis - according to the NEU, members have reported struggling with the cost of living crisis, childcare costs, energy costs and mortgage payments. They explain that, although the government offered a 5% pay increase to teachers, due to increasing levels of inflation, the reality is that the 5% increase is a 7% pay cut. 

Teachers leaving the classroom - according to the NEU, ‘one in eight teachers leaves the profession after just a year in the classroom – one in three within five’.

Teachers are not entitled to be paid while they are on strike. This means that those who are striking will be losing pay to do so.

What does this mean for Cranfield?

Mr Piatczanyn has talked with NEU members in our school to understand if their decision is to strike. At present, the following classes will be closed on Wednesday 1st February 2023. This means that children in these classes cannot come to school. Parents and carers of children who are open to 'child protection' or 'children in need' will be contacted by Mrs Dormer and Mr McCaffrey at their respective sites. The option to attend will be given to these children. Those who use wrap-around care in these provisions are asked to contact the school if they will still be using the service.

• Robins
• Wrens
• Redwings
• Puffins
• Bluebirds
• Owls
• Ostriches
• Kingfishers
• Kites

Union members do not have to inform the Headteacher if they are striking and there may be changes to this list prior to the first day of striking on Wednesday 1st February 2023. Mr Piatczanyn will confirm the classes which can remain on Wednesday 25th January 2023.

Who should I speak to if I have a question?

Please direct all questions about the strike to Mr Piatczanyn.

What other implications could there be?

The implications of a strike are, unfortunately, far wider than simply those classes which will not be open.

• Little Cranes Pre-School will be closed on Wednesday 1st February 2023. This is because the majority of the Pre-School team are parents of children in Cranfield Academy's affected classes. As such, they will need to have their own children at home. Staffing could reduce further as other Pre-School team members have children at other schools who will not know and may not know until the day whether their own children's teachers are striking.
• Early Birds and Night Owls may not be able to open. This is because the majority of the team have children in our school and other schools and as such may not be able to attend work due to their own child-care.
• Children attending school may not have the option of a school dinner - unless entitled to free-school meals. This is because all of our kitchen team have children in our school and other schools and as such may not be able to attend work due to their own child-care.
• Our phone lines may be closed to incoming calls. This is because all except one of our office team have children in other schools and as such may not be able to attend work due to their own child-care.

Are there other strike dates planned?

Further planned strike dates are as follows: Wednesday 1st March, Wednesday 15th March and Thursday 16th March.

Information on all strikes will be shared in due course. Thank you for your patience and understanding.