Teachers call off strikes over violent pupils

Planned strikes by teachers at a Kent secondary school have been called off, the National Education Union (NEU) says.

Staff at the Oasis Academy's sites in Sheerness and Minster on the Isle of Sheppey began industrial action last month over pupil behaviour which they said left them fearing for their safety.

They have been demanding a zero-tolerance approach to bad behaviour.

The principal of the Oasis Academy, Andy Booth, said: "I am pleased that there has been a pause in industrial action. We’ve had positive and productive meetings with union representatives, and I am proud of the progress we have made."

NEU regional secretary Maria Fawcett said: "I am pleased that progress has been made in negotiations and that this has given members some confidence that things will start to improve at their school."

She added: "The employer has made several promises and members have now put their trust in Oasis to deliver a safe and acceptable working and learning environment.

Strikes had been due to take place on 5, 6, 7 December.

Previously teachers told the BBC that children would say they "had knives on them and they're going to cut our throats".

Staff also told of being "barricaded into classrooms" and threatened on a daily basis.

Earlier the school said it had been holding "positive talks" with the union since the action began.

Steve Chalke, the founder of the Oasis charity which runs the academy, previously said a lack of resources on the Isle of Sheppey had made a policy of zero-tolerance towards bad pupil behaviour difficult.

He said a lack of special needs provision was part of the issue.

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