Thousands of teachers have gone on strike across Hampshire today calling for better pay.

The union voted to strike weeks ago - but members are not obliged to tell their employers if they will be participating until the day of the strikes.

The strikes are part of their ongoing campaign for a fully funded, above inflation pay rise.

After today, further strike days are set to be held on March 2, 15 and 16.

Schools impacted in Basingstoke are as follows:

  • The Coppice Spring Academy – full closure
  • Cliddesden Primary School - students with EHCP, CiC or under social services and those whose parents are critical workers are being invited to attend school
  • Limington House School - White, Pink and Yellow classes will be closed
  • Oakridge Junior School - closed to Year 4 and Year 6
  • Oakridge Infant School - closed to Year R
  • Oakley Church of England Junior School – full closure
  • Testbourne Community School - closed to all year groups. Provision for children of critical workers and vulnerable pupils by prior arrangement only.

Maria Fawcett, regional secretary for the National Education Union (NEU), said: "The Government cannot expect strikes to be averted unless it brings forward concrete proposals for increasing pay. Experienced teachers have seen a 23 per cent real-terms pay cut since 2010. Given the current cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation, this is clearly an unsustainable situation for our members. The Government appears to have nothing to say to them.

“As well as allowing the profession to haemorrhage talent, the Government has missed its own targets for recruitment by an enormous margin and has done so for many years. Any sensible Government would by now have started to ask themselves why.

"Our members are taking a stand today for a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise, because the profession cannot go on like this. Parents know the consequences of persistent underfunding, both for their school/college and for their child. This strike should not be necessary, and we regret the disruption caused to parents and pupils, but our aims are in the interests of everyone in the education community.”

The Department for Education has offered a five per cent pay rise to most teachers for the current school year, but the NEU is demanding a fully funded above-inflation pay rise for teachers.