The second latest in a series of strikes by teachers across England is taking place today (July 7). 

The strikes have been called by the National Education Union (NEU) in a dispute over teachers’ pay and the underfunding of education generally.  

The Department for Education (DfE) has said it expects headteachers to take all reasonable steps to keep schools open for as many pupils as possible. 

The decision to open, restrict attendance, or close a maintained school is for the headteacher.  

The decision for academies rests with the relevant academy trust but is usually taken by the principal. 

Headteachers will have notified parents and carers before the strike days if they could, whether they expect their schools to be open, closed, or partially closed. 

While employees are not required to tell their employers whether they intend to take strike action, headteachers are entitled to ask staff in advance if they intend to strike so they can plan how to manage the strike. 

Without a firm understanding of who is striking, school leaders will consider the impact on the health and safety of children and staff in deciding whether they remain fully open.  

Headteachers may offer remote education, but this is not compulsory. 

Jonathan Lewis, Director of Education for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough said: “Schools are again anticipating significant disruption when teachers strike this week. 

“Even schools which are fully open will see some disruption to the curriculum. We will be collating information on which schools are closed or partially closed and updating our website regularly. 

“Headteachers are writing to parents to allow them to make decisions. In the case of full closure, schools are being encouraged to support vulnerable children and critical worker children, although capacity is likely to be limited.”  

Advice from the DfE is that there is no legal requirement for schools to teach the curriculum on strike days and the offer around schools is likely to be limited. 

Cambridgeshire County Council will be updating the school closures page on its website: School closures - Cambridgeshire County Council