Schools 'set to shut' as teachers announce six days of strike action
Middle schools in Berwick, Tweedmouth and Wooler are affected...
Last updated 6th Jun 2024
It's feared as many as 60 jobs could be lost if education chiefs push ahead with plans for a shake-up of education in Northumberland.
Middle Schools in Berwick, Tweedmouth and Wooler are set to close as part of the move to a primary and secondary system.
Members of NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union - are set to walk out today (Thursday, June 6th) in protest.
It's the first of six days of action planned over the next three weeks, which it's anticipated could lead to lessons being cancelled and children being sent home.
Union secretary Steve Bird said: "This action relates to the consistent failure of Northumberland County Council to properly consult on a proposal that will potentially see around 75% of current middle school teachers being made redundant.
"The dispute is NOT around the decision to close the schools and we are only interested in getting the local authority to honour their pledge to protect staff from redundancy."
Scremerston First School had been earmarked for closure under the council's initial plans, but it will now stay open as a primary school.
However, Glendale, Tweedmouth and Berwick Middle Schools are due to close in August 2026.
Union leaders claim education chiefs are refusing to consider either redeployment or voluntary redundancy schemes for teachers affected.
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Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “We have sought at every stage of this process to work with the Council, but due to a lack of progress our members have been left with no option than to move to strike action.
“We believe the Council owes it to staff and pupils to pursue other options such as redeployment so that as many jobs can be saved as possible."
Further days of strike action are planned for June 11th, 13th, 18th, 19th and 20th.
John Hall, NASUWT National Executive Member for Northumberland, said: “Teachers at all three schools have been left in limbo, not knowing what the future holds for them and their careers.
“This reorganisation should be an opportunity to strengthen education provision locally, not undermine it by losing dozens of experienced teachers.”
He added: "On all six days, we anticipate that the schools will be closed to not just staff but students as well."
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Northumberland County Council says the move from a three-tier to a two-tier system will transform education in the area for generations to come. And, it adds, it will support staff with finding alternative employment.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Northumberland County Council is spending over £41 million to invest in first-class facilities for schools in the Berwick Partnership that will transform education in the area for generations to come.
“The proposals include a new building for Berwick Academy and expansion of specialist, post-16 skills, and post-18 provision. They also include new and enhanced facilities for use by the wider community.
“We greatly appreciate and value the life-changing difference that all our school staff in Northumberland make to our children and young people every day.
“A huge amount of work has gone into developing a staffing protocol that all schools and academies in the partnership have signed up to and which guarantees an interview to any member of staff in the middle schools who wishes to apply for the new posts and future posts that become available.
“Support with finding suitable alternative employment or training opportunities will also be provided.
"Staff have been consulted throughout this process with 18 meetings and drop in events taking place and which teachers’ unions were invited to attend.
“It is regrettable that despite doing everything in our powers, the strike is progressing.
“We meet again next Tuesday with a hope that further discussions of our re-training offer and a willingness to add clarity to a timeline for possible redundancy processes will reassure staff at risk and be enough to prevent any future planned action.”
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