Unions call off school strikes to consider deal

Strike action at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School has been put on hold after an offer was made to three unions

Strike action, due to start on Tuesday at a Lincolnshire school, has been called off after a new offer was put forward to three unions.

Teachers and staff at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School in Lincoln walked out last month and had planned further action on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

The school has faced allegations of harassment, bullying and discrimination and several staff members have left in recent months.

Martin Smith, assistant director of children’s education at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "We encourage all involved to minimise any impact on the pupils’ learning".

'Not over'

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) voted in favour of industrial action and staged a picket line outside the school in April.

The NEU was due to be joined by the unions NASUWT and UNISON for the latest action.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, proposed strike days between 10 and 13 June will still go ahead unless an agreement can be reached.

Kashmir Bilgan, a regional officer at the NEU, said the dispute was "not over" and wants to see "progress" after a proposal was put forward by the school's governors.

The NASUWT accepted the offer but the dispute will not be fully settled until it is approved by the other two unions.

The school said it hopes to achieve a resolution by the end of the school term on Friday 19 July.

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