The teachers' strike will go ahead on Thursday after ministers failed to reach a settlement with union leaders over pension reforms. After two hours of talks, the unions and government were still fundamentally divided, said Brendan Barber, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress.
The National Union of Teachers estimates that up to 85% of Englands primary and secondary schoold will be either closed or partly closed, sending millions of children home.
The heated debate among Guardian readers continued on the site.
BloodyTories wrote:
I'm tired of all of these suggestions that striking is somehow immoral. It's a basic right of all people to have the power to withdraw their labour. Anything else is slavery.
JSMillitant responded:
Quite right - and it's a basic right of all employers to sack you and get someone prepared to go the job for the terms and conditions they can afford to offer!
Join the live debate on the Guardian's public sector strikes live blog with Guardian experts Martin Freedman and Philip Parkin today from 12pm. You can also follow the news on Twitter #strikesblog.
But it's not all strikes and gloom on the Guardian education site – to be reminded why good teachers are so vital, watch teachers and students at Kingsbury high, north London, take to the stage to rap the year 9 poetry syllabus
Education news from the Guardian
• Why are private school teachers joining the strike? Independent teachers are as likely to be members of the government pension scheme as their state counterparts, but Lord Hutton recommends the scheme should no longer be available to them.
• The government's white paper on higher education is expected to propose university "naming and shaming", giving more power to students to ensure they get their money's worth, and measures to allow popular universities to take in any student who gains at least two A grades and a B at A-level. Labour and the National Union of Students warn that the reforms would see the quality of degree courses suffer and leave students open to "market chaos".
• One of the most celebrated jewels in the crown of the British state system, Holland Park comprehensive in West London, has decided to become an academy. The school's head, Colin Hall, says he's aware this would be a feather in the hat for the DfE, but explains:
"We are a confident enough institution that we would have ignored the direction of travel if we hadn't really agreed with it. We belong to ourselves, not to a political party, and we are making this decision in the context of our school and its children."
Not everyone, however, is happy with the decision.
• How can schools with many pupils facing major struggles ever hope to meet the new government GCSE targets? The Ramsgate school was considered one of the worst in Britain. But after it re-opened as Marlowe academy it managed to raise student grades to close to the national average. Yet, only 14% of pupils at the school achieved the recently introduced Ebacc standard, causing it to plummet back down to the bottom of the league tables.
• European academics are outraged by a new attempt to categorise arts and humanities journals.
Guardian views
Debra Humphris: Why are universities being asked to raise the access targets again?
Estelle Morris: The government is making many small changes, but their cumulative effect goes far beyond the schools at which they are aimed
Research revelations
Improbable research: It would be possible to play football on Mars, but the ball would travel four times as far as on Earth – and you would no longer be able to "bend" it
On the Guardian Teacher network
It's My Money Week on the Guardian Teacher Network, with great resouces across the age-range. Even primary school-aged pupils can have fun while learning how to save
Education news from around the web
• Though the average applications per job have risen to 83 in 2011 (it was 31 in 2008), The Association of Graduate Recruiters report that graduate job opportunities are continuing an upward trend. Starting salaries have also risen, reports the BBC
• A study by the National Autistic Society shows many autistic children having to wait a year or more to get help at school. 18% of the parents of children with the condition even said they had to go to a tribunal to win the right help for their child, reports the Independent
Private view for teachers
The Saatchi gallery is holding a private view for teachers to see its exhibition The Shape of Things to Come: New Sculpture on Friday 1 July from 7-9pm. It'll include a free guided tour, exhibition guides and refreshments. Please email admin@saatchigallery.com to book, providing your name and school contact details.
Guardian Education Centre seminars for teachers
This half-day conference for primary school teachers will help you inspire students to read with pleasure and maintain the reading habit. Andy Stanton, author of the Mr Gum series, will be joined by Julia Eccleshare, Guardian children's books editor, and reading development experts.
Time: 1 July, 9.15-12.45.
Cost: £48, including refreshments and resources.
Insight into Journalism: investigative and features journalism
This seminar, part of our popular Insight into Journalism series, gives secondary school teachers and college tutors the chance to spend a day at the Guardian. You'll meet specialist journalists from the investigations team, find out from writers what makes a good features article and learn about commissioning, editing and interview techniques.
Time: 8 July, 9.15-4.30.
Cost: £72, including lunch and resources.
Education seminars from Guardian Professional
Distinctiveness and branding in higher education
Higher education institutions will struggle in the marketplace unless they stand out from competitors and make sense to stakeholders. The Guardian's half-day seminar in partnership with the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education will explore what it takes to develop and maintain a distinctive brand that attracts students, staff and funders. Participants will hear from experts, examine case studies and have the opportunity to network with peers.
28 June, London.
Making the most of media opportunities to enhance your school's profile
Whether it's sharing good news or handling a crisis, headteachers and school management teams need to be able to handle the media in all of its forms. This one-day seminar in association with the NAHT is essential for new and aspiring heads as well as established school leaders who wish to update their knowledge. It includes a session on social media.
20 September, London.
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The Guardian University Guide 2011
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The world's top 100 universities
Updating table of university fee announcements for 2012
From Guardian Professional
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Free online classroom resources on the Teacher Network
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