Academy teachers to ballot for strike action

Teachers at a secondary school are set to formally vote on strike action over "adverse" management practices.

According to the teacher’s union NASUWT, members at E-ACT Parker Academy in Daventry voted in favour of industrial action in an indicative vote last week.

The union has not yet confirmed a ballot date, but said around 60 teachers are expected to vote.

Alan Hackett, NASUWT National Executive Member for Northamptonshire, said a recent leadership change at the school had made it "increasingly difficult" for teachers to do their jobs.

It follows a petition launched by parents calling for the headteacher to resign over the way students were being treated.

The parents claimed there had been a "decline in academic progress" and that pupils had been subjected to increased detentions, strict uniform rules and were not permitted toilet breaks.

At the time, a spokesperson for E-ACT, the trust that oversees the school, said it was "disappointed and saddened" to see a public petition targeting one of its "dedicated headteachers".

Mr Hackett said that the petition showed "the concerns of the teachers at the school are shared by parents".

He added: "NASUWT members at Parker E-Act Academy met last week where they voted to take industrial action over adverse management practises at the school.

"The response by the school to both the union's and parents' concerns was misleading.

"The Ofsted report they quoted was published in 2021 and the current problems at the school began under a new leadership which took over in June 2024.

"Strike action is always a last resort for teachers and we urge the employer to negotiate an outcome to the dispute which resolves the concerns raised by NASUWT members."

The school has been contacted for comment.

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