Teachers set to strike over primary school academy plans

Teachers at a Bootle primary school could go on strike over the school’s plans to become part of an academy.

Members of staff at The Grange Primary School have taken part in an indicative ballot for potential industrial action in response to the school’s plans to join the Lydiate Learning Trust from August 1 this year.

The National Education Union (NEU) said the indicative ballot comes after NEU members at the school were informed of the decision to join MAT with limited union representation. The union said the vote was overwhelmingly in support of further action.

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The NEU said it rejected the suggestion that Multi-Academy Trusts were overtaking local authority-run schools. The union said its own research shows that primary schools previously rated as good or better are much more likely to drop to less than good at their next inspection if they are in a MAT or join a MAT between inspections .

Conor Quinn, assistant branch secretary for Sefton NEU, said: “The decision to take an indicative strike vote is always a last resort for our members.

“However, the consultation process was not managed satisfactorily and our members do not have the full and transparent information they need about the transfer to this Trust.

“Grange’s OFSTED rating is good so there is no reason for this move by the LA or the governors. We have contacted the governors to ask them to postpone the conversion deadline so that we can meet and have meaningful negotiations. around this process. We look forward to their response.”

A spokesman for The Grange Primary School said: “We understand that we are meeting all legal obligations in relation to the transformation of the Academy. Therefore, we maintain proper liaison with all stakeholders. So far, NEU has not raised any issues.”

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