Teachers strike over plans to close three schools

Glendale Middle School in Wooler is one of those facing closure

Teachers at three middle schools are striking in response to plans to move from a three-tier system, with the potential loss of between 50 and 60 jobs.

Glendale, Tweedmouth and Berwick middle schools in Northumberland are to close as part of the proposed changes in the Berwick Partnership.

Teachers’ union the NASUWT claims Northumberland County Council has “failed to honour” its pledge to protect staff from redundancy.

The council says it is doing everything possible to limit job losses.

Industrial action began with a walkout on Thursday, with five more days of strikes planned for 11,13, 18, 19 and 20 June.

John Hall, from the NASUWT, said teachers have been "left in limbo not knowing what the future holds for them".

“This reorganisation should be an opportunity to strengthen education provision locally, not undermine it by losing dozens of experienced teachers,” he said.

The union also stated that the council is “refusing” to consider redeploying teachers or offer a voluntary redundancy scheme.

Guy Renner, the Conservative cabinet member for education, says falling birth rates mean difficult decisions

The move to two-tier and away from the middle school model comes ahead of a £41m investment into the Berwick Partnership which the council claims will “transform” education in the area.

Guy Renner Thompson, the Conservative administration’s cabinet member for education, said the council is doing "everything in our power to keep redundancies to a minimum".

"The overlying fact is that people in Berwick and North Northumberland haven’t been having enough children and you can't sustain the number of schools without children," he said.