John Gulson teachers continue protest over appraisals

Teachers at a Coventry school are staging a 10th day of strike action over concerns about appraisals.

National Union of Teachers (NUT) and NASUWT members formed a picket line outside John Gulson Primary School.

Parents, frustrated that the dispute has not been resolved, held their own protest last month.

A NUT spokesman said he regretted the action over the appraisal policy brought in last year. The city council said negotiations were on-going.

A further four days of strike action are planned this month if the situation is not resolved, according to the joint secretary of Coventry NUT, Chris Denson.

'Excessive observations'

Mr Denson said the school's appraisal policy "doesn't meet the needs of the teachers or school".

He said: "We would hope the management would see there is still a real issue in the school.

"At John Gulson there is a programme of excessive observations which are not supportive but punitive.

"Teachers do not feel supported but under constant threat, and many long standing teachers are leaving as a direct consequence."

The school is open and in a statement the local authority said: "Negotiations between the union, school governors, school leadership and council are on-going.

"It has been agreed by all parties that there will be no further comment from any of the parties involved while negotiations are under way.

"Everyone is working hard to bring about a resolution that means children can get back to school."