School closures across Rotherham as teachers walk out on strike

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) will take part in national strike action, with schools throughout the borough affected either through complete closure, partial closure or operating a reduced timetable.

A total of 17 schools will be fully closed across the borough, with 20 partially closed.

Kevin Courtney, acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “The NUT is not taking action lightly. In light of the huge funding cuts to schools, worsening terms and conditions, and unmanageable and exhausting workloads, teachers cannot be expected to go on without significant change.

“The effects on children’s education are also real and damaging. 

As a result of school funding cuts, class sizes in primary and secondary schools are increasing, subject choices are being cut, and children are getting less individual attention as teachers and support staff are made redundant or not replaced when they leave. 

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: “It is disappointing the NUT has chosen to take unnecessary and damaging.

“It is even more disappointing when we have offered and committed to formal talks between ministers and the unions to address their concerns about pay.

“Industrial action causes disruption to children’s education and parents who have to take time out of work to arrange childcare. 

“We urge the NUT not to proceed with this strike and to resolve pay disputes at the negotiating table rather than playing politics with children’s futures.”

Wickersley School is among those closed.

Explaining the closure, head teacher Elaine Renavent, said: “The decision to close the school is  one which I take reluctantly and do not take lightly. However, due to lack of staff on that day (Tuesday), I cannot guarantee the health and safety of pupils and that has to be my primary concern.”

Among the schools affected are:

Closed: 

The Rowan Centre

Ferham Primary School

High Greave Junior School

High Greave Infant School

Kiveton Park Infant School

Aston Lodge Primary School

Clifton Community School

Wath Comprehensive School 

Milton School

Sandhill Academy 

Maltby Academy

Rawmarsh Comprehensive

Wales High School

Winterhill School

Wickersley School

Dinnington High School

St Joseph's Primary School, Dinnington

Partly closed:

Thrybergh Fullerton

St Bernard’s RC High School

Brinsworth Whitehill Primary School

Redscope Primary School

Thornhill Primary School

Rockingham Junior and Infant School

Brampton Cortonwood Infant School

Brinsworth Manor Infant School

Crags Community School

Rawmarsh Ryecroft Infant School

Kilnhurst Primary School

Kiveton Park Meadows Junior School

Aughton Primary School

Saint Pius X Catholic High School 

Anston Greenlands

Bramley Grange

Maltby St Mary's 

Kelford School

Aston Hall Junior and Infant School

Thrybergh Primary School

Mexborough Academy is also closed.

The list will be updated as we receive further details.