NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union members at Westbourne Academy in Ipswich will begin strike action on Tuesday 13th May due to untenable levels of classroom disruption.

A large group of pupils at Westbourne Academy are refusing to attend lessons and instead choose to roam the school, disrupting other lessons and engaging in threatening behaviour towards staff and other pupils. Teachers have sought help from school leadership but no plan has worked in practice, with teachers often waiting for most or all of their lessons for urgent assistance.

Matt Wrack, Acting General Secretary for NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union, said:

“Teachers at Westbourne Academy just want to conduct their lessons in safety and peace. They feel abandoned by school leaders and desperate for effective support.

“The current situation is unbearable for teachers and pupils. Constant disruption means that teachers are suffering high levels of stress and are unable to carry out lessons, which is affecting their pupils’ education. This is precious time that nobody can get back.

“Persistent abuse and waste of classroom time cannot continue at Westbourne Academy. We are asking school leaders to meet with us immediately to find a way forward that keeps everyone safe.”

Katherine Moore, National Executive for District 17, said:

“More than anything, teachers at Westbourne Academy feel profoundly disrespected and ignored by school leadership. This dispute began eighteen months ago but there is still no resolution in sight.

“No teacher wants to go on strike, but teachers at Westbourne cannot do their jobs until this pupil behaviour crisis is resolved.”