Teachers due to strike for two days over 'adverse management practices' at Northamptonshire primary school

The NASUWT say ‘adverse management practices’ are affecting teachers’ health and working conditions.

Meadowside Primary’s NASUWT members took a day of strike action on November 4, but agreed to withdraw a further five days of planned action as a ‘gesture of goodwill’ after the employer offered further talks.

Since then they say school management has failed to put in place any ‘effective measures’ to address the issues of excessive workload, a lack of transparency and effective communication. and lack of career progression – as a result, they say further strike action has become ‘necessary’.

Matt Wrack, NASUWT general secretary, said: “In a bid to resolve this dispute, we agreed to withdraw five days of planned strike action to allow for further talks and for action to be put in place to create the professional and respectful working environment to which our members have the right to expect.

“However, there has been no change in the behaviour and attitude of school management towards staff, which has made further strike action unavoidable.

“The management of the school are responsible for any further disruption caused by this strike action. Our members want to be in the classroom teaching pupils, but they cannot continue to work in a culture which is eroding their morale, welfare and ability to do their job.”

NASUWT teachers at Meadowside are also continuing with an ongoing programme of action short of strike action which began on October 29 under which they have withdrawn from specific non-teaching activities which they believe are driving up their workloads and distracting them from focusing on teaching and learning. They have stopped the practice of having to unlock/lock school gates, only do assemblies if they are on the senior leadership team, paused their appraisal process, stopped attending additional ‘Core Curriculum’ meetings if they are on UPS (Upper Pay Scale), stopped the ‘subject showcases’, and only attend staff meetings for a maximum of 60 minutes.

Alan Hackett, NASUWT National Executive Member for Northamptonshire, said: “Our members have been repeatedly let down by the management of the school, who to date have proved they are not serious or genuine about wanting to resolve this dispute.

“The employer needs to understand that it cannot continue to get away with riding roughshod over the basic rights and entitlements of its staff. Teachers, pupils and families deserve better and our members will continue to fight to secure the positive culture change the whole school community at Meadowside needs.”

Meadowside Primary School is still under the governance of the local authority, North Northamptonshire Council.