Councils announce plans for schools to shut across Scotland due to teaching strikes

Schools across Scotland have announced closures as a result of strike planned by a number of teaching unions in January.

Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), NASUWT and AHDS members in primary schools will take strike action action on January 10 while those in secondary schools will walk out on January 11, joined by Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) members.

Staggered strike action on different dates throughout January and February has also been announced by the EIS and ADHS unions.

Teachers have already rejected a deal which would see most staff in classrooms receive a 5% pay rise, although the lowest earning teachers would get a 6.85% increase.

Many local authorities have put closure plans in place for primary and secondary schools, as well as Additional Support Needs (ASN) hubs, unless the industrial action is called off.

Other council bodies say plans for closures are not yet confirmed.

Speaking this week, education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish Government remains “committed” to a settlement.

She said: “It is very disappointing that the teaching unions have rejected the latest offer – the fourth of which has been put to unions – which mirrors the deal accepted by other local government workers.”

Aberdeen

Primary schools are set to shut on January 10 while secondary schools will shut on January 11.

An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: “The EIS and NASUWT teaching unions have called two days of strike action in pursuit of their national pay claim, on January 10 and 11. This is likely to reduce the number of headteachers, depute headteachers, principal teachers, and classroom teachers available to work on the day.

“Given the high level of uncertainty around the number of teaching staff who will be available to teach classes, we have taken the decision to close city primary schools and Orchard Brae School on January 10, and secondary schools on January 11.

“Schools have written to parents and carers to inform them about arrangements.”

Aberdeenshire

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson said: “From the information provided to Aberdeenshire Council by the teaching trade unions, we have made the decision that primary and special schools will close to all pupils on January 10 and secondary schools will close to all pupils on January 11.

“We appreciate that closures inconveniences parents and carers, but the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is our paramount concern.

“Strike action will not affect our early learning settings and school lets – groups and clubs that utilise school space – and these will be open and operate as usual.”

Angus

The council has issued full information on the website here.

On Tuesday, January 10 nurseries, primary schools and Kingspark School in Dundee will be closed.

On Wednesday, January 11 all secondary schools will be closed. All primary schools, early learning and childcare settings and Kingspark School in Dundee will be open.

Argyll and Bute

The council have published full information here. It has been confirmed that all primary schools will close on January 10 and all secondary schools will close on January 11.

In addition the council have said: “Children attending Parklands special school should remain home on January 10 and return to school on January 11 regardless of whether they are in the primary or secondary sector.”

Clackmannanshire

The council have confirmed that Primary schools will all close on January 10 and secondary schools will all close on January 11.

Additionally, all schools will be closed on February 1 due to staggered strikes by the EIS.

A council spokesperson said: “Clackmannanshire Council will support families who are free school meal registered and a payment will be made to the parent/carer of each child in February.

“There will be no school transport for the closed schools and ELCs.”

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

The council have confirmed that all primary schools will close on January 10 and all secondary schools will close on January 11.

Dumfries and Galloway

A council spokesperson said: “On the back of receiving notification from Trade Unions of their intention to strike on January 10 and 11, we are putting in place arrangements to communicate with staff, parents and carers regarding school closures on these days.

“Our letter to parents and carers will inform them of arrangements around closures as well as provision for free school meals on the affected days, for those who are eligible for these meals.”

Dundee

The council have published full details on the website.

On Tuesday, January 10 all primary schools, including some nursery classes and Kingspark School will be closed to all pupils. All eight secondary schools and Rockwell Learning Centre will be open to all pupils.

On Wednesday, January 11 all eight secondary schools and Rockwell Learning Centre will be closed to all pupils. All primary schools and Kingspark School will be open to all pupils.

The council also say arrangements are being made for free school meal payments to be made directly to qualifying households.

East Ayrshire

Primary schools and supported learning centre along with Crosshouse Communication Centre, Park School, Willowbank School and Hillside School will close on January 10.

Secondary schools and supported learning centres along with Loudoun Communication Centre will close o January 11.

On January 23 all schools will be closed as a result of staggered strike action however early childhood centres will be open.

A council spokesperson added: “‘Grab and go’ lunches will be available for collection from schools the day before they are closed to pupils.”

East Dunbartonshire

The council have issued full details of closures here.

They say all primary and ASN schools will close for pupils on January 10 and all secondary schools will close on January 11.

A statement on the council website says: “All school transport will be stood down for the respective days of strike action, and those in receipt of free school meals (excluding the universal provision for P1 – P5) will receive a day’s payment for the day they are not in attendance at school, in the usual way.

“All school based staff not covered by the strike mandate will be advised of their work arrangements for the day of action.”

East Lothian

A letter addressed to parents and carers can be read in full here.

On January 10 all primary schools and early learning and childcare settings will be closed along with ASN and Home to School transport for primary pupils.

On Wednesday, January 11 all secondary schools will close however the Additional Support Needs Hubs at Ross High School and Meadowpark will be open to pupils.

Home to School transport will only operate for pupils attending Additional Support Needs Hubs at Ross High School and Meadowpark.

On January 16, all primary and secondary schools across East Lothian will be closed including ASN hubs.

However, the council have confirmed that the use of primary and secondary schools for breakfast, after school and sports clubs will continue as planned.

A BACs payment will be made for those children and young people who qualify for a free school meal under the income threshold and whose schools are closed.

East Renfrewshire

.Arrangements for closures have not yet been confirmed. However, a council statement has confirmed strike action “will affect” schools.

The statement says: “Families will likely have to make alternative arrangements for childcare during these days.

“Full details of the impact on individual schools and nurseries will be circulated to parents/carers in advance of the industrial action.”

Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh Council say no decision on school closures has been made yet.

Falkirk

On January 10 all primary schools and nursery classes, including Windsor Park School primary pupils and the Inclusion and Wellbeing Service primary and secondary pupils will be closed to pupils. All secondary schools and ELCCs will be open

On Wednesday January 11, all secondary schools, including Windsor Park School secondary pupils and Carrongrange High School will be closed to pupils. All primary schools, nursery classes and ELCCs will be open

On Friday, January 27 all schools will be closed to pupils and ELCCs will be open.

A council statement also says: “Pupils required to stay at home who are eligible for Free School Meals (excluding those receiving a meal under the universal P1-P5 provision) will receive a retrospective meal payment.”

Fife

The council have announced that all Fife primary schools (and their nursery classes), special schools and primary pupil support centres will close to pupils on Tuesday January 10.

It has also been confirmed that all secondary schools will close on Wednesday, January 11.

All schools will also close on January 18, as a result of staggered, regional EIS strikes.

Full details can be found on the council’s website.

Glasgow

A letter was sent to families confirming it is “likely” for all primary and ASN primary schools to close on January 10 while all secondary schools will close on January 11.

All schools will be shut on January 16 if EIS staggered strikes go ahead.

The letter, signed by Douglas Hutchison, the council’s executive director for education says: “I know that this uncertainty is far from ideal and will mean that you may need to make alternative arrangements at short notice once again.”

Highland

The council has decided to close all primary and ELCs on January 10 and all secondary schools on January 11.

A council spokesperson said: “The safe supervision of children and young people is of utmost importance and, given that we anticipate significantly reduced numbers of both management and teaching staffing in schools and early learning and childcare settings, a decision has been made to close all educational establishments to pupils.

“It is hoped that a clear decision will enable parents and carers to plan ahead for the disruption expected. A letter has been sent to all parents through the usual school channels.

“A BACS payment will be made for those children and young people entitled to a free school meal based on low income (not universal entitlement).”

Further updates will be available on the council’s website.

Inverclyde

The council did not respond to STV News regarding plans for school closures.

Midlothian

All primary schools are set to close to all pupils on January 10 and most local authority early learning and childcare settings will also be closed on that day.

All secondary schools are expected to close to all pupils on January 11.

The council have published more details on the website.

Moray

All primary schools will be closed on January 10 and all secondary schools will be closed on January 11.

Full details of closures have been published by the council here.

Further details of action on later dates, including January 19, are set to be published at a later stage.

Moray Council’s head of education, Vivienne Cross, said: “We fully appreciate that school closures inconveniences families and due to the proximity to the start of the term, we are providing advanced warning so that alternative childcare arrangements can be made as necessary.

“We will, of course, keep parents and carers updated with any developments.”

North Ayrshire

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “We are currently working on arrangements, and these will be communicated when ready.”

North Lanarkshire

Primary and ASN primary schools are set to close on January 10, including the primary schools only at Redburn and Glencryan.

On January 11, all secondary and ASN secondary schools will be closed, including secondary schools at Redburn and Glencryan.

All schools are set to be closed again on January 19 as a result of EIS regional strikes.

A spokesperson said: “Schools will be affected by industrial action by teaching unions on dates in January 2023.

“Schools have been in touch with parents and carers directly with information on school closures as a result of industrial action.”

Orkney

The council say a final decision has not been made and details will be released in the new year.

Perth and Kinross

On Tuesday, January 10, all Primary schools including Fairview Primary and Early Learning Centre settings will be closed to all pupils and Secondary schools will be open.

On Wednesday, January 11, all Secondary schools will be closed to all pupils. Primary Schools and Fairview School remain open to all pupils.

All Primary and Secondary schools including Fairview school and Early Learning Centre settings will be closed on January 17.

A council spokesperson also said: “Free school meal payments will be made directly to those eligible and who are in receipt of qualifying benefits, for any class closures. School lets will remain open.”

Renfrewshire

The council did not respond to STV News regarding plans for school closures.

Scottish Borders

The council have confirmed that all primary schools will close of January 10 and all secondary schools will close on January 11.

All schools will also close on January 30 as a result of staggered, regional strikes.

A council spokesperson added: “Early Learning Childcare Provisions will operate as normal.

“Parents have been communicated to in advance of the Christmas holidays to enable families to be prepared.”

Shetland

Shetland Council say details for schools have not yet been finalised but information will be circulated in early 2023.

South Ayrshire

The full details are available on the council’s website.

On January 10, the council say all primary and special schools will be closed with free packed lunches available for those entitled to free school meals.

On January 11, all secondary schools will be closed with families entitled to free school meals being given a payment for all eligible pupils.

South Lanarkshire

The council say no primary schools, primary nursery classes or primary ASN schools will open to pupils on January 10.

No secondary schools or secondary ASN schools will be open on January 11.

A council spokesperson said: “Please consider making alternative arrangements for those days if your children are affected.

“Those parents whose children are eligible for means tested free school meals will receive a payment of £2.50 per child as a result of the strike action day.”

Stirling

Stirling Council have confirmed the closure of all primary and ASN provisions including Castleview Nursery on January 10.

Stand-alone nurseries and nursery classes will remain open as normal.

All secondary schools and ASN provisions will be closed on January 11.

In a statement the council also say: “Free school meal provision for entitled pupils will be made in the form of payment on Tuesday 10 January.”

West Dunbartonshire

A council spokesperson said: “Letters have been issued to parents and carers informing them that due to industrial action, all primary schools, early years centres connected to schools and Kilpatrick ASN school will be closed on Tuesday, January 10. And all secondary schools will be closed on Wednesday, January 11.”

West Lothian

Full details have been published on the council’s website.

On Tuesday, January 10, all primary schools are expected to close to all pupils in addition to Beatlie, Pinewood, Ogilvie and Connolly ASN schools.

On Wednesday, January 11, all secondary schools are expected to close to all pupils along with Cedarbank school and Skills Centre at Burnhouse School, Whitburn.

All council nurseries and early learning centres will be open to all children, as normal.