Bulwell Academy: Teachers go on strike for second time

Teachers formed a picket at Bulwell Academy on 10 January

Staff at a Nottingham school are planning seven days of strike action in the next two weeks.

Members of unions at Bulwell Academy - run by the Creative Education Trust (CET) - say that despite "far-reaching talks", they are still "experiencing unacceptable management practice".

Staff walked out on Tuesday, with further strikes planned for Wednesday and Thursday and four days next week.

A school spokesperson said it had been working to make improvements.

The action comes as parents and union leaders gathered at a public meeting on Monday at Bulwell Riverside for crisis talks.

Anna Sant said her questions asked to the school "don't come with answers"

It follows strike action on 10 and 11 January from members of the NEU and NASUWT.

One of the main concerns from parents is their children were not being taught by a single permanent member of staff.

Parent Anna Sant said: "I've got three children. One has come through the school and did really well.

"I've got a daughter in Year 11 that's had a terrible time. She has had six head teachers in five years, strike days and now this."

Parent Sarah Regan said: "I'm thinking of joining the teachers on the picket line, enough is enough and something needs to be done."

Sarah Regan said her son would not tell his parents about his worries at school

NEU senior regional officer Dave Pike said strike action was "the last resort".

He said: "It's a really difficult time for our members to reach that decision to strike.

"They gave the employers ample time to resolve this issue, even suspending days of action before Christmas, and have now reached a point of no confidence of the leadership of the school."

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

Issues 'resolved'

Vice president of the NASWT for Nottingham, Gareth Howell, said: "The teachers aren't striking over pay... there is something deeply wrong with this specific school."

A spokesperson from the CET said: "We have worked very hard to negotiate with the unions involved so that staff have the support they need and so that we can work together to make the improvements to Bulwell Academy that the children need and deserve.

"We are pleased that in our most recent meeting with the unions, it was agreed that issues around workload, timetabling and pupil behaviour have all been resolved.

"We have offered for all staff to join small group discussions with school leadership however there has been low take-up so far."