london demo

standing together with the entire profession. What we’re doing, most importantly, is coming together. It’s a really exhilarating feeling,” Venda said.

ted powell came from Somerset on the train. “There’s a massive turnout here today. It feels so empowering to be on a demo this size. And for so many teachers they’ve never done anything like this before. You’re not alone and you realise there are so many of us out there –we’re united.” nat grindey, who also works in Somerset, told Educate: “I’m a relatively new teacher, and I’m surrounded by really amazing, experienced colleagues. But unfortunately, so many of them are leaving because the pay and retention aren’t good enough. As a new teacher, I rely on them for support and if they’re not staying then what am I meant to do?” bronagh heaney, an early years teacher from Lewisham, south east London, brought her child on the demo like many other parents. “We decided this was of more educational value. He’s here to soak up the atmosphere and meet his best friend,” she said. lizzie edmed from Brighton also brought her daughter on the march: “I want her to see that we care about her future and are fighting for her education so that the next generation can grow up to be wonderful people. It’s a brilliant atmosphere.”

Julia dryland from Epsom in Surrey, also a parent, said: “I’ve got a little boy at my school. And I’m worried that there’s not going to be a teacher standing in front of him in the next couple of years because of the number of young teachers who are leaving.” ellie sharp came up to central London from Croydon with 150 others on coaches. “It feels incredible to be on a march this size. It’s the energy we need to really push the Government to make some change,” she said. abigail hart from Leeds said: “The children in my class have special educational needs. They need as much additional support as they can get and we’re taking resources away from them, in addition to the fact that there’s not enough outside support for them. It’s not fair and it’s not right. I’m a supply teacher, but my agency was really supportive. They said if you don’t want to work during the strike, we’ll support that.” harvey jones from Bristol is a support staff member. He said: “I just don’t see the

Portsmouth Positivity

ON 2 March members in London, the South East, South West and Wales went out on strike. Kate Claxton at Ark Charter in Portsmouth said they had a “strong” picket line: “Everyone is full of joy. It’s a happy event. We’ve got lots of support and cars are honking and it’s a really positive atmosphere.”

She added: “It’s about funding. It’s about having enough money to pay our bills and being able to support our children in the classroom. I’ve been in the profession ten years and I’ve seen so many good teachers choosing to leave and do something completely different.”

Beeping In Brum

ON 1 March, members in East and West Midlands and the Eastern region took action in a series of co-ordinated rolling strikes.

Kate Taylor (far left) is a rep at Wheelers Lane Primary School in Birmingham. She said they had a “huge” amount of support from passing motorists: “That was really encouraging. For lots of members on the picket line, it was the first action they’ve taken and they were understandably nervous. It was really important for them to hear they’ve got the backing of the public.

“I’m very proud of my union and I’m very proud that we’re taking action. It’s the only thing we’ve got left. We’ve got to do it.” education system functioning long term in the situation it’s in. Staff-wise and resources-wise, it’s not sustainable.

“I’m a learning support assistant. I’m new to the education system this year. I look at my job and think, yeah I can do this for a few years and I want to make a positive impact on the children. But I don’t think it could really sustain me financially for the rest of my life.”

Another day of national action followed on 16 March before “intensive talks” with the Government were announced the next day (see page 7 for latest updates).