Secondary school teachers in St Ives begin five days of strikes
Members of the NASUWT teaching union are walking out
Teachers at a secondary school in Cambridgeshire will begin the first of five days of strike action this morning.
Members of the NASUWT teachers' union who work at St Ivo Academy in St Ives are also striking tomorrow and on November 7, 8 and 9.
The union says its members at St Ivo Academy are being limited by what it calls the school's "draconian" behaviour policies.
The NASUWT said staff at St Ivo Academy are being asked to “enforce questionable rules that undermine their authority in the classroom”.
Union members left with 'no alternative' but to strike
Mark Burns, NASUWT national executive member for Cambridgeshire, said members have been “left with no alternative but to move to strike action”.
“Despite some initial progress in talks, since we declared our dispute Astrea have imposed new policies around the monitoring of teachers’ performance," he said.
"(This includes) no-notice observations which were not consulted on and which are having a significantly detrimental impact on members.
“Our members are concerned that this pattern of behaviour by Astrea management, designed to erode the terms and conditions of teachers and reduce their professional autonomy, will continue and escalate.”
"Everyone needs to respect teachers' autonomy"
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said behaviour policies at the school must encourage positive behaviours.
“Employers need to respect teachers’ professional judgement and autonomy," he said.
“Yet members at St Ivo’s Academy feel that the draconian nature of Astrea’s behaviour policies limit their ability to teach.
“Teachers need policies that empower them, but instead they are being asked to enforce questionable rules that undermine their authority in the classroom.
“We once again ask Astrea to review its behaviour policies in consultation with the NASUWT and to discontinue the imposition of procedures that are damaging and unworkable.”
Disruption to pupils will be limited 'as much as possible'
A spokesperson for Astrea Academy Trust, which the school is a part of, said its behaviour policy is in line with the NASUWT's guidance.
"(This) focuses on the importance of children being able to learn free from disruption, and we will continue to work to ensure this is the case," the spokesperson said.
“Obviously it’s disappointing news that the strike action is going ahead.
"We believed there were three remaining issues of contention, covering staff development, a dress code for staff, and limiting the number of after school meetings to one per week.
"Last Friday, we agreed to further consultation and engagement on the three outstanding areas raised by the unions; our doors remain open for further discussion, as was agreed last week."
The Trust said St Ivo Academy will open as normal on strike days and will do "everything we can" to limit disruption for pupils.