Teachers from St Benedict's school Whitehaven take to the picket line

Members of the National Education Union voted with an overwhelming majority to walk out and have organised a series of strikes over the next two months, unless an agreement is reached with the Government.

Teacher at St Benedicts, Julia Lee at the picket line (Image: Newsquest)

The NEU is demanding a pay rise for its members of 12 per cent, but the Government has offered five per cent.

One teacher at today's picket at the school said: "We're too tired of this crisis to have a lie in! Schools need to be fully funded to deliver for our children.

"Schools have been expected to just 'find' money in their budgets to pay the 5-8 per cent pay rise given to teachers in September last year, but there is no money.

"A pay rise needs to be fully funded. It also helps if it keeps pace with inflation, otherwise its not officially a pay rise.

"It's a glorified pay cut.

"Austerity is a choice"

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has called strike action by the National Education Union (NEU) “deeply disappointing”.

Speaking on the first day of teacher strikes in England and Wales, Ms Keegan said: “I am very grateful to head teachers for all their work to keep our schools open and to minimise the impact of today’s strike action.

“One school closure is too many and it remains deeply disappointing that the NEU proceeded with this disruptive action – but many teachers, head teachers and support staff have shown that children’s education and wellbeing must always come first.

“Conversations with unions are ongoing and I will be continuing discussions around pay, workload, recruitment and retention, and more.”

READ MORE: Strikers gather to protest outside Carlisle's Rural Payments Agency