Sussex sixth form colleges stage fresh walkouts as pay dispute continues
It marks the eighth day of action from NEU members since November
Last updated 29th Jan 2025
Three Sussex sixth-form colleges are staging a fresh round of walkouts today (Wednesday 29th) as a pay dispute continues.
Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC), The College of Richard Collyer in Horsham, and Varndean in Brighton are all taking part in what marks the eighth day of striking by NEU members since November.
It's after a 5.5% pay boost was offered to staff at academised colleges in September, while those without academy status were awarded 3.5% - a figure only increasing to match their peers in March this year.
Donna Marie Jansen, principal at Varndean, said the decision to strike wasn't "taken lightly":
"Obviously in a sixth form college, half of your students are getting ready for exams this academic year and both years are really important.
"I think it's had quite a drastic effect on teaching staff, thinking whether they'd take this action, why they need to take it, and how they're going to make sure students aren't disadvantaged."
Teachers expected to "swallow an inferior pay award"
Meanwhile, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, said:
"It is with great disappointment that our members are having to take strike action again today, as the Government has shamefully allowed our dispute to drag on into 2025.
"The Government has it well within its power to address this issue of pay disparity between academised and non-academised sixth form colleges, rather than endorsing the creation of a two-tier pay system."
He added: "This Government should be investing in education across the board rather than expecting non-academised sixth form college teachers to swallow an inferior pay award.
"It cannot be the case that one group of teachers doing the same job in the same settings should be paid less than their peers.
"This is something that should have been rectified when first pointed out and it is troubling that the Government appear to believe that such an obvious injustice can stand.
"Our members will fight on until they are valued equally wherever they work. The injustice of it is clear, the solution is also clear."
Government "recognises" colleges' "vital role" in boosting economy
A spokesperson for the Department for Education said they "recognise the vital role" that "further education, including sixth form colleges" plays in "ensuring people have the skills they need for the future":
“The October Budget provided an additional £300m revenue funding for further education to ensure young people are developing the skills they need to seize opportunity and drive growth."