Early this morning (Wednesday), Isle of Wight teachers rose out of their beds to travel to London to rally as part of the National Education Union’s (NEU) strike day demonstration outside parliament. 

The ongoing National Education Union (NEU) dispute is centred around a fully funded teacher pay increase and fears surrounding the lack of funding affecting resources for Island students.

Fully funded means not a penny of any pay rise will be funded by the national government, forcing Island schools to cut costs, including losing staff.

From left: Peter Shreeve, Duncan Morrison, Vix Lowthion and Claire Rennie (Above).

Alongside the four staff heading to London for today's action, many Island teachers have hit the picket lines in front of their own schools.

On BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (June 23), Rishi Sunak said: “When it comes to public sector pay, I’m going to do what I think is affordable, what I think is responsible.”

Isle of Wight County Press: The picket line outside Christ the King College in Newport and four teachers travelling to London for the demonstrationThe picket line outside Christ the King College in Newport and four teachers travelling to London for the demonstration (Image: Isle of Wight NEU District)

Commenting on this, Peter Shreeve, assistant district secretary of the NEU, said: “The Government’s own statistics say 40,000 teachers left last year. That’s nine per cent of all teachers.

“More headteachers than ever are leaving early. There are more classes with more than 30 students than ever.

“The gap between the number of new teachers starting and teachers leaving is the worst it has been for decades, and it’s growing.

“Do you think ignoring this is responsible, prime minister?”

The teachers will assemble next to the London Eye and begin the march at 11.30am, over Westminster Bridge, past Parliament to Millbank, and then via the Department for Education to rally at Parliament Square at 12.30pm.

Island NEU president Claire Rennie said: "Teachers are tired of the government ignoring the reality of the funding crisis. That's why we're taking action."

Strike action will continue on Friday, July 7.