Teachers could strike over virtual-teacher plan

Star Academies said it had successfully trialled virtual teachers in schools in Blackpool and Bradford

A teachers' union says its members are willing to go on strike over plans for a school in Lancashire to use a teacher based in Devon to teach its most-able maths students remotely.

The Valley Leadership Academy in Bacup told parents last month the school's top-set pupils, in years 9-11, would have a "virtual" maths teacher when they return to school for the new academic year in September.

Star Academies, the trust which runs the school, said a qualified teacher will also be present in the classroom.

But the National Education Union (NEU) has set up a confidential online petition in opposition to the new arrangement, which it says has attracted more than 500 signatures.

'Fully-rounded education'

Ian Watkinson, Lancashire branch secretary of the NEU, said the number of signatures to the petition was an indication of the "strength of feeling" against the proposed use of virtual teaching.

He said pupils were "still feeling the impact" of compulsory online teaching during the pandemic and returning to remote learning voluntarily "just does not feel right".

"We were forced into doing the best we could with what we had at the time – and people are still feeling the impact of it," said Mr Watkinson.

"You're not getting a fully-rounded education experience if it's being delivered in that way," he said, adding, "however high quality that teacher might be, you can't replicate human interaction".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, signatories to the NEU petition have argued pupils need to be able to "connect" with their teacher - stressing the value of face-to-face interaction amid the relentless presence of technology in everyday life.

"It's the start of watering down the quality of teaching," wrote one parent. "Our children deserve better - and the full attention of a qualified teacher."

'No compromise'

The trust said it was happy to speak to any parent who has concerns, but trumpeted its trials of virtual teacher-led classes in schools in Blackpool and Bradford, claiming parents had spoken of "the transformational impact the model has had on their children's learning".

It cautioned the NEU petition was open to all signatories, across the country, and stressed it did not represent "a verified reflection of staff and parent views within Star schools".

A Star Academies spokesman said: "For too long, pupils in disadvantaged communities have had to settle for inconsistent teaching or long-term supply cover in core subjects.

"The virtual-teacher model allows us to deploy exceptional teachers in classrooms where they are most needed.

"It costs more, it demands more, and it reflects our belief that every child – regardless of postcode – deserves access to the very best education. We will not compromise on that."