William Ellis School teacher calls for pay rise amid strikes

Simon Fuller, head of physics at William Ellis School, in Highgate Road, was out on the picket line with colleagues on March 4 and 15.

The second day of strike action by the National Education Union (NEU) coincided with thousands of members marching from London’s Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square.

NEU members want a pay rise of 12%, but the Government has offered an increase of only 5%. 

Mr Fuller said: "The position at the moment is the Government won't talk to us if we've got strike action planned so I'm hoping the union bosses and the Government are chatting and coming up with a deal.

"The ballot was open-ended until the end of this school year, so if the NEU wants to call any more strike action I guess they will."

Simon Fuller, physics head at William Ellis said he was really pleased by the support from motorists and pedestrians on strike days (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

He said turnout for the strikes on both days was strong, with 20 members from the school out on the march on the second day.

"Fundamentally, teachers want better pay," he added.

"On the face of it, it sounds like we are being selfish but we want a fully-funded payrise above inflation. At the moment the Government is saying it needs to come out of school budgets, which are already completely inadequate to keep a school running properly. 

"We want a reasonable pay rise to keep people in the profession and attract people to the profession.

"In real terms my pay has gone down by 20% in the past 10 years. I've obviously stuck it out but a lot of other teachers are leaving because their pay is being eroded over time." 

He said he was pleased by the strike turnout at William Ellis and that "productive talks" are ongoing.

He added: "We hope they come to a conclusion quickly because we don't want to go on strike, no-one likes going on strike, it's a pain for everyone. 

"Teachers are giving up a lot of money to go on picket lines, it's not like they are having a day off.

"We're doing the protesting for the benefit of everyone, the public's children's education is what we're most concerned by."

The Department for Education gave a joint statement, saying the Government, education trade unions,and schools and college leaders "have agreed to move into a period of intensive talks". 

"The talks will focus on teacher pay, conditions and workload reduction.

“In order for talks to begin and, we hope, reach a successful conclusion, 
the NEU has confirmed it will create a period of calm for two weeks during which time they have said no further strike dates will be announced."