Members of NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union at Moorside Primary School in Swinton will take the first of nine planned days of strike action tomorrow (Tuesday) as a result of the failure of school leadership to deal with a number of concerns related to health and safety, pay practices, safeguarding, adverse management practices and dangerous pupil behaviour.
Management have failed to deal with repeated assaults by pupils on staff and have failed to ensure a consistent behaviour management policy is in place to address pupil behaviour, leaving the safety and welfare of staff at risk. Pupils with special needs and disabilities are not receiving their entitlements, with staff put under pressure to support pupils without the necessary resources to do so adequately and safely.
Changes to policies and practices are being imposed without communication or consultation with staff and teachers are being expected to carry out unpaid responsibilities.
Matt Wrack, NASUWT Acting General Secretary, said:
“Staff have experienced a chaotic and unsafe working environment since the start of this academic year at what was a previously stable and happy school. Sudden and sweeping changes have been made with no consultation, with staff often finding out about changes at the same time as parents.
“Given the seriousness of concerns raised by NASUWT teachers, we have sought to involve the local authority and have been working with them to address these matters and ensure that action is taken.
“Sadly, the response of the school’s governing body has been to publically attack our members. This, coupled with the fact that there still remains a lack of basic measures for a safe working environment means we have been left with no option but to take strike action.”
Jac Casson, NASUWT National Executive Member for Greater Manchester, said:
“The current management culture in the school betrays at best, a lack of understanding and experience, and at worst, complete negligence.
“Pupils as well as staff are currently being put at risk and let down. We do not believe this can be allowed to continue.
“The situation was serious enough to warrant us approaching the local authority for action, but even this step has not been enough to make school leaders realise the necessity of addressing the urgent and serious concerns of staff.
“The safety of staff and that of the pupils they teach cannot be ignored and action delayed.”
