The government believes schools should remain open for three quarters of pupils during strikes, leaked documents show, as the Department for Education prepares to legislate for minimum service levels.
But ministers stand accused of acting in “bad faith” and deliberately “collapsing” talks with unions aimed at reaching a voluntary agreement.
Education secretary Gillian Keegan announced last month that she was seeking a voluntary agreement with unions over minimum service levels for schools. Such a policy would require schools to remain open to some extent during industial action.
However The Sun reported last night that Keegan would pursue a legislative route, quoting a source saying she had “tried her best” to avoid the approach. The DfE has confirmed it wants minimum service levels in place by next September.
