Grammar school teachers to strike over 'workload and safety'

Teachers at a grammar school are will take part in six days of strike action over concerns about safety, workload and management.

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) at The Blue Coat School in Liverpool will begin industrial action on 14 May.

The dispute is over several grievances with management including claims of an "unmanageable workload", "safety concerns" and "ineffective mechanisms for negotiation and consultation".

The school said work to resolve the dispute was "ongoing and we believe that progress is being made".

The school, which was founded in 1708, is a selective grammar with academy status.

Negotiations have been ongoing for months and police were called to a previous meeting between the school and union following a disturbance.

The NEU said after a ballot, which had a 91% turnout with 82% voting in favour of striking, about 70 members would take industrial action on 14, 16, 21 and 23 May and 12 and 13 June.

They said the issues included an "unmanageable workload and unsatisfactory arrangements for the allocation of work", "ineffective school mechanisms for negotiation and consultation" and "safety concerns" arising from "dilapidated" premises and equipment.

Regional officer Bora Oktas said the school had been playing a "dangerous game" with members since the start of the dispute in February.

"They are insincere," he said.

"Their misleading tactics have not only affected staff but also parents and the local community.

“The school management and trustees board have lost the trust and confidence of NEU members.”

A union representative added that it remained willing to reach a negotiated settlement.

The Blue Coat School's board of trustees said they had been "formally told" about the strike action and the move was one they "respect and recognise".

They said they had "proactively approached" the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service before Easter to "ask for their support in helping us reach a resolution with the NEU".

"This work is ongoing and we believe that progress is being made."

They added that "contingency plans" were also under way for "if strike action does happen" and they would "provide further information to our community nearer the time".

"The focus is on ensuring there is as little disruption as possible for those students facing their examinations this summer," they said.

“We wholly appreciate the current situation that the school will potentially be adding uncertainty and pressure for our families at a time when there is already a huge amount for them to think about and consider.

"We are doing all that we can to work collaboratively with our staff to achieve the very best outcomes for our students."

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