SCHOOLS in South Devon could be affected by today’s latest action over pay by teachers. 

The sixth national strike by members of the National Education Union since February, today’s walk out continues the ongoing dispute over pay rises and calls for additional money to ensure increases don’t come out of school budgets.

Another day of action is planned for Friday. 

More strike ballots are taking place which mean schools could face further disruption in the new school year.

Teachers received a five per cent rise for the year 2022-23.

This time they are calling for above-inflation increases, plus additional money to ensure any pay rises do not come from schools' existing budgets.

There are no talks currently under way between the unions and the Department for Education (DfE).

After intensive talks in March, the government offered teachers an additional one-off payment of £1,000. 

It also offered a 4.3per cent pay rise for most teachers next year with starting salaries reaching £30,000.

The NEU, and three other unions involved in the dispute, rejected the offer.

More strikes have taken place since then.

It is the second time that members of the NEU, teachers' union NASUWT and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) have been asked whether they would be prepared to strike over pay.