Scottish school closures in full as teachers walk out in strike action over pay dispute

Dozens of high schools across Scotland are to close while others will only open to senior pupils as teachers walk out of classrooms as part of a two-day strike.

Educators represented by the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) and NASUWT have accused COSLA and the Scottish Government of failing to get back round the negotiating table to avert industrial action over a bitter pay dispute.

The unions, which represent hundreds of teachers in the country, say a previous wage uplift offered earlier this year was “deliberately divisive and inadequate,” branding a “show of contempt”.

It comes after colleagues from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union walked out on November 24, leading to almost every school in the country shutting down for a day.

The SSTA and NASUWT represent a smaller pool than EIS, but closures will still affect certain areas.

Secondary schools in East Ayrshire and East Dunbartonshire will close to all pupils on December 7, while those in Fife, Midlothian and Scottish Borders will shut on December 8.

Aberdeen and Dundee are among those to close the school to junior pupils, but those in S4-S6 are still expected to attend in most cases.

Elsewhere, individual arrangements are affecting every school differently, with some only allowing certain youngsters to attend.

Finance secretary John Swinney has previously said there is “no money left” for public sector pay rises.

But SSTA general secretary Seamus Searson said staff wanted a “fair and reasonable offer,” adding: “We are taking part in the strike this week to send a hard message to the employer and Scottish Government that teachers demand to be respected and receive a professional salary that will act to retain teachers in Scottish schools.

“Hopefully, the employers and the Scottish Government will understand there needs to be a willingness to solve the pay dispute. The latest offer was quickly rejected by the teacher unions and was deliberately divisive and inadequate.

“The SSTA can only apologise to the pupils and their parents who are stuck in the middle of a dispute that should have been resolved in months ago.

He added: “Teachers do not want to be taking strike action as they would rather be in school teaching.”

The latest pay offer from the Scottish Government, which included rises of between 5% and 6.85%, was formally rejected last week.

Teaching unions have asked for 10% amid the cost of living crisis, but education secretary Shirley-Anne Sommerville branded that demand “unaffordable”.

She added it was “disappointing” teachers had moved for strike action, claiming the deal “mirrors that of other local government workers”.

“Strike action is in no-one’s interest, least of all learners, parents and carers,” she said.

“We remain committed to a fair, sustainable settlement for Scotland’s teachers and will continue to engage teaching unions and COSLA constructively.

“The request for a 10% increase for all teachers – even the highest paid – is not affordable within the Scottish Government’s fixed budget.”

In full: School closures and affected classes

Aberdeen City Council

December 8 – Secondary schools closed to S1-S4 pupils.

Aberdeenshire Council

December 8 – Parents will be notified in individual cases where school closures apply. Where possible, all schools will remain open but the industrial action will affect each school in different ways, which may include partial closures or disrupted timetables in some settings.

Angus Council

December 8 – Closures affecting individual schools. Parents will be notified in each case.

Argyll and Bute Council

December 7 – Campbeltown Grammar closed to all pupils. Parents will be notified of individual arrangements in each other case.

Clackmannanshire

December 8 – All secondary schools closed to S1-S3 pupils.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles)

December 7 – Secondary schools open to all pupils but with some disruption to classes.

Dumfries and Galloway Council

December 7 – Closures affecting individual schools. Parents will be notified in each case. Some disruption to classes.

Dundee City Council

December 8 – Secondary schools be open only to S5 and S6 pupils. Individual secondary schools may allow S4 pupils to attend where staffing allows. Parents will be notified in each case.

East Ayrshire Council

December 7 – All secondary schools closed to pupils.

East Dunbartonshire Council

December 7 – All secondary schools and Holy Trinity, Meadowburn and Lennoxtown Primary Schools closed to pupils. All others open as normal.

East Lothian Council

December 7 – All secondary schools closed to S1-S3 students. Ross High School closed to all students.

East Renfrewshire Council

December 7 – All secondary schools closed to S1-S3 pupils.

Edinburgh City Council

December 8 – Around 10% of teachers are expected to strike. Some secondary schools will be closed or partially closed. More information will be provided to parents by their schools as soon as possible.

Falkirk

December 8 – No confirmed closures. Parents will be notified of individual cases but disruption to classes likely.

Fife

December 8 – All secondary schools closed to students.

Glasgow City Council

December 7 – Parents informed of closures or partial closures in each individual case.

Highland Council

December 7 – Parents informed of closures or partial closures in each individual case.

Inverclyde Council

December 7 – Craigmarloch School, Clydeview Academy, Inverclyde Academy, Port Glasgow High School and St. Stephen’s High School open to S4-S6 pupils only. All others open as normal.

Midlothian Council

December 8 – All secondary schools closed.

Moray Council

December 8 – All secondary schools closed to S1-S3 pupils. Individual arrangements in each school in place for pupils in S4-S6. Parents will be notified in each case.

North Ayrshire Council

December 7 – Ardrossan Academy, Auchenharvie Academy, Garnock Community Campus, Greenwood Academy, Irvine Royal Academy, Kilwinning Academy, St Matthew’s Academy and Whiting Bay Primary School all closed to pupils. Largs Academy open to S5-S6 pupils. Stanley Primary School closed to P4-P5 pupils.

North Lanarkshire Council

December 7 – All early years, nursery classes, primary, secondary and additional support needs schools open to pupils but some individual classes may be affected.

Orkney Council

December 7 – Kirkwall Grammar and Stromness Academy closed to all pupils. Stronsay Junior High School closed to certain pupils. One P3 class at Papdale Primary closed to all pupils.

Perth and Kinross Council

December 8 – All secondary schools except Pitlochry High School will be closed to pupils in S1-S4. S5-S6 pupils should attend school as normal.

Renfrewshire Council

December 7 – Parents will be notified of individual cases but disruption to classes likely.

Scottish Borders Council

December 8 – All secondary schools closed to pupils.

Shetland Council

All schools open as normal.

South Ayrshire Council

December 7 – Prestwick Academy, Ayr Academy, Kyle Academy, Belmont Academy, Queen Margaret Academy closed to all pupils.

Marr College and Carrick Academy closed to S1-S3 students.

South Lanarkshire Council

All schools open but some age groups may face disruption to classes.

Stirling Council

December 8 – No confirmed closures. Parents will be notified of individual cases but disruption to classes likely.

West Dunbartonshire Council

All schools open but some age groups may face disruption to classes.

West Lothian Council

December 8 – All secondary schools closed to S1-S4 pupils except Winchburgh Academy, which is open to S1 pupils as well as those in S5 and S6. Parents will be notified of individual cases in certain other schools but disruption to classes likely.