Today's industrial action by the NUT went ahead as expected, and as planned for, by schools and the county council.
There was no change in the number of schools expected to stay open and no further school closures were reported due to strike action.
Reported problems to school transport arrangements and other services for schools were minor. No schools contacted the County Council for help as a result of unexpected difficulties due to the strike action. A small number of staff centrally employed as teachers by the County Council took strike action but there was no disruption to services. We are awaiting information from schools about the final number of teachers who took industrial action.
We received very few enquiries from parents or from foster carers for school age children. Most parents and carers seem to have been able to cope with the effects of the strike action.
A full list of the schools affected by strike action is available from the County Council’s website at http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/.
Councillor Jim Buchanan, the county council's lead member for Children’s Wellbeing, said:
"The strike today has been disruptive but less damaging than it might have been, thanks to the goodwill and common sense you would expect from Cumbrians.
"Parents and carers have responded flexibly, and employers have helped out where they can. Headteachers, teachers, school-based and county council staff have done their very best to keep things on track for our children and young people.
"I hope that we will see the same sort of goodwill and common sense from central government and the NUT when they next meet to discuss this dispute."
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Further information from Alison Lister, Media Team, on (01228) 606335
Follow this link to view school closures by town