Nine-week staff strike at school ends after talks

A nine-week strike by staff at a high school has ended following talks between governors and union representatives.

The walkout at Grays Convent High School in Essex began in May over controversial restructuring proposals, sparking fears of job losses among staff.

In a statement, the school said it had "agreed to work with the union reps to achieve mutually agreed means of saving money where possible and sustainably".

Parent and Berlesduna Academy Trust deputy executive officer Courtney Freese welcomed the end of the strikes but said questions still remained.

Members of staff had feared the school's proposals could include an increased workload for teachers and payments for extra teaching and learning responsibilities being decreased or removed.

However, a spokesperson for the National Education Union (NEU) confirmed the employer had withdrawn from the restructure programme, calling the previous position "untenable".

The new plan to save money would now be done "over an extended period, without cause to enforce restructure or make compulsory redundancies".

"We hope now that the school can return to normal and continue to do what it does best," they said.

The dispute led to three days of strike action every week and months of disruption for pupils and families.

The walkout received significant backing from some parents, many of whom raised concerns about the impact of the plans on pupils and the school's long-term future.

Freese said following talks, teachers were back in the classroom, and there seemed "to be some type of solution moving forward"; however, he wanted more information from the school.

"The problem that caused the nine-week strike is still there, so we need clarity from the school - They are going to have to tell us what the problem is and how we fix it," he added.

Freese said governors had agreed to meet parents in a bid to rebuild confidence after the dispute.

"They have massively broken our trust as parents, so they need to do better," he continued.

"We are not only thinking about our children but the legacy of future education."

Nicola Thompson, the school's acting chair of governors, said in a statement: "I am pleased to inform you that after meeting with union reps last week, all industrial action has now ceased."

NASUWT regional organiser Kim Vollerthun also welcomed the breakthrough, saying he was optimistic the trust would now engage constructively with staff and unions to help shape the school's future.

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