London teachers set to strike over school reforms

Teachers in London will strike next month in protest at Education Secretary Michael Gove’s school reforms.

Representing nine in 10 teachers, the NASUWT and NUT unions announced a planned walkout on October 17 and a rally, saying Mr Gove has refused to “genuinely engage” with them. Other strikes are also due next month across the rest of the country, while plans are in place for a one-day national strike before the end of the new term.

From autumn, teachers’ pay will be linked to classroom performance, with schools setting salaries rather than following a national framework. Changes have also been made to public sector pensions. The Government has condemned the rolling campaign of walkouts, calling it disruptive for pupils. Union leaders said teachers are “angry, frustrated and concerned”.

Maths and physics graduates could be offered an extra £5,000 in bursaries to attract them into teaching, after Mr Gove said more needs to be done to fill teacher vacancies in the subjects.