Members of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary Academy in Nottingham and Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School in Sleaford are due to begin two days of strike action tomorrow (24th March) over proposed job cuts which they believe would seriously affect the quality of education and support provided to pupils.
The Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi Academy Trust, which runs both schools, is planning to reduce the number of teaching jobs across the Trust.
The proposed staffing cuts equate to 2.5 members of staff at Our Lady of Good Counsel and 1.03 at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. This is on top of planned cuts to teaching assistant posts and some voluntary staff redundancies.
The Trust has cited financial pressures as the reason for proposing these staffing cuts, however financial data shows that in August 2025 the Trust had reserves of £5.69 million.
Strike action is planned for the 24th and 25th March. NASUWT will be picketing outside the school on each strike day between approximately 8am and 9am.
Matt Wrack, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
“We do not accept any argument that there is a need for the Trust to make any posts or teachers redundant.
“If the Trust believes that savings are required, we believe the focus should be on cutting costs in central services, not at the frontline. If the issue is one of underfunding, the Trust should raise that with government.
“Teachers make the biggest difference to the quality of children’s education and their jobs should be protected and prioritised by the Trust.”
Anne Thompson, NASUWT National Executive Member for Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, said:
“Teachers believe that these plans will undermine the progress and attainment of students and undermine the strong community ethos which is so important to staff, parents and pupils at both schools.
“Cuts to staffing will inevitably drive up teachers’ workloads, reducing the amount of time they have to focus on meeting pupils’ needs, particularly those children with SEND.
“We are urging the Trust to recognise the damaging impact which these plans will have on both schools and agree to withdraw these planned cuts so that further strike action does not prove necessary.”
