School Strikes Spread Across East London as Teachers Warn of Deepening Education Crisis

A growing wave of teacher strikes across Waltham Forest in east London has disrupted classes at several schools, leaving many parents struggling to arrange childcare while tensions over funding cuts and job losses continue to rise.

South Grove Primary School in Walthamstow closed its gates to pupils last week as staff members joined industrial action organised by the National Education Union (NEU). The school is expected to remain closed for several more days next week as the dispute continues.

Other schools across the borough have also been affected, including Henry Maynard Primary School, South Chingford Foundation School, Connaught School for Girls, Leytonstone, and Belmont Park School, which supports children with special educational needs.

Despite the disruption, many parents have publicly backed the striking teachers. Families joined staff members on picket lines in support of concerns over restructuring plans that could result in job cuts and reduced support for vulnerable pupils.

South Grove Primary, regarded as a popular and successful school in the area, has reportedly struggled financially for years. Rising costs linked to special educational needs provision, an expensive private finance agreement, and increased catering expenses have placed additional pressure on the school’s budget.

Parents say the strike action reflects wider concerns about the future of education in London.

Stephanie Cobb, whose children attend South Grove, said families were supporting teachers because they valued the staff and feared the long-term impact on students. Another parent, Lottie Gammon, described the strikes as difficult for working families but said teachers were taking action to protect children and preserve the quality of education.

However, not all parents agree with the ongoing industrial action. In some schools across the borough, concerns have grown about repeated disruptions to lessons, and students at Connaught School for Girls recently staged their own protest calling for an end to the strikes.

NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede defended the action, arguing that schools across London are facing a severe financial crisis caused by falling pupil numbers, rising living costs, and the increasing inability of families to afford living in the capital.

Kebede said many schools are being forced into restructures and redundancies as budgets tighten, creating mounting pressure on staff and resources. According to union figures, 13 schools and workplaces in Waltham Forest have voted for strike action during the current academic year, while more than two dozen similar disputes have emerged across London.

Nationally, the number of successful strike ballots organised by the NEU has also increased significantly this academic year compared to the previous one.

The union is now warning that schools across England could face wider national strike action later this year if the government fails to provide a fully funded pay rise above inflation for teachers.

Kebede said industrial action remained a last resort but warned that schools risk moving from financial crisis into “financial collapse” without urgent investment in education.

The Department for Education criticised the union’s approach, saying any further industrial action would place additional pressure on children, parents, and schools already facing disruption.