Northamptonshire primary school teachers going ahead with strike after 'lack of engagement' from bosses

Teachers at a Northamptonshire primary school are going ahead with a two-day strike over a controversial plan to turn it into an academy.

National Education Union (NEU) members at Sywell CEVA (Church of England Voluntary Aided) Primary School will walk out tomorrow (Tuesday, January 26).

The staff members will also not be working on Thursday because of the proposed takeover of the school by Peterborough Diocese Education Trust (PDET).

NEU senior regional officer Nick Raine said: “The NEU remains committed to negotiate and avoid strike action. Sadly, Sywell governors do not.

"This will be a difficult week for all at the school and it could have been avoided.

"Governors have not listened to parents or staff and have ploughed on with a rushed PDET takeover without properly considering all the options."

Staff and unions at the school held a virtual meeting with parents on Thursday and will hold a further meeting today (Monday).

On Friday, parents at the school received a letter from governors stating the takeover would now be delayed for a month with no reason given, according to the NEU.

It added governors have not been in touch with it and has made no effort to avert the strike action or seek to negotiate with staff and community representatives.

The school will remain open on both strike days for the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, although many parents have decided not to send their kids in as a show of support to the striking staff.

Patrick Markey, from Northamptonshire NEU, which represents most staff at the school, said: “Staff at Sywell have been delighted by the strong support of parents.

"Our community meeting was excellent and we are working together to fight for the best outcome for Sywell School.

"Parents know that once the school is forced to become an academy there is no going back as under the law they could never become a community school again. The NEU shares their concerns."

Currently, Sywell Primary School is part of the Diocese of Peterborough but it is also a maintained local authority school, funded and overseen by Northamptonshire County Council.

A large number of parents have been actively opposing the takeover for months, forming the campaign group, Hands Off Sywell School.

So far, they have presented a petition with more than 850 signatures and held a socially-distanced ‘beep’ protest outside the school asking the governors and PDET to listen to their concerns.

NEU members cancelled strike action last year in order to ensure key workers and vulnerable children could attend the school during the first coronavirus lockdown.