Teachers, school staff and parents will stage an emergency demo outside Durham High School on 3rd July at 12:45pm to protest the school’s sudden closure.

Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:

“As little as two weeks ago, Durham High School’s owners assured staff and parents that the school would remain open, despite rumours that it faced significant financial pressures. All that changed this week when they suddenly announced that the school would be closing for good.

“Global Galaxy Education have serious questions to answer about what is really going on at Durham High School. Right now, we have a group of traumatised staff and pupils who now have no job or school for September. Teachers have received no assurance that they will be paid the salaries they are owed for the rest of the academic year. It’s time for Global Galaxy Education to own up and pay up – not shut up and run away.”

Deborah Egglestone, NASUWT National Executive Member for Durham, said:

“Teachers, pupils and parents at Durham High School deserve urgent answers. This abrupt school closure is an abhorrent way to treat the school’s dedicated community.

“Many teachers at Durham High School have worked there for years. None have been given the opportunity to plan for new jobs in September, and now it seems they will not be paid during July and August either. Teachers’ salaries are split evenly across twelve months of the year – they have earned this money.

“Despite months of rumours and speculation, staff have worked hard to deliver for pupils and maintain school morale. The end of the school year should be a time for joy and celebration, but instead, teachers and pupils at Durham High School face a summer of pain, panic and uncertainty.

“Global Galaxy Education must tell the truth about what has really happened at Durham High School and honour their contractual obligations to pay staff for work that has already taken place.”