Bulwell Academy: Teachers launch strike action at troubled school

Teachers formed a picket at Bulwell Academy earlier

A Nottingham school is facing two days of disruption after teachers launched strike action.

Staff at Bulwell Academy walked out on Wednesday saying their confidence and trust in management had "broken down".

Unions said recent changes at the 1,000-pupil secondary school had left teachers with unmanageable workloads.

School leaders said they had tried to address workload issues and were "disappointed" with the industrial action.

They said the school, in Squires Avenue, would be closed to all but vulnerable and Year 11 students on Wednesday and Thursday as a result of the strike by NEU and NASUWT members.

NEU senior regional officer Dave Pike said the unions were concerned about changes implemented by the principal.

Mr Pike said: "What that has led to is a massive increase in workloads for staff who were already stretched and doing a huge number of hours over their contracted hours.

"This is a group of dedicated staff which has had a rough couple of years with a high turnover in the leadership and a difficult Ofsted report."

'Hinder improvement'

Ofsted inspectors rated Bulwell Academy as inadequate in 2022 raising concerns about high pupil absence, special needs provision and safeguarding.

Anne Thompson, NASUWT national executive member for Nottingham, said: "Our members are committed to the pupils at Bulwell Academy and are disappointed that it has come to this.

"For teachers, strike action is always a last resort and we remain committed to seeking to resolve this dispute as soon as possible in the best interests of staff and students."

A spokesperson for the academy said: "We have provided extra time within the school week for planning and protected time for weekly department meetings.

"We have also invested in a new behaviour management approach for students which is helping to improve behaviour and attendance.

"The planned strike action is disappointing news. However we are committed to improving Bulwell Academy."

The spokesperson added further concessions would hinder the improvement process the academy had begun.