St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School to close due to strike

Members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), the National Union of Teachers and Unison will walk out due to “leadership and management issues.”

The unions are also planning five days of further strikes in November.

Celia Foote, national executive member for the NASUWT, said: “The strike action is completely avoidable.

“The NASUWT has made every effort to secure an agreed way forward through genuine negotiation with the employer and ACAS, but without an outcome that has effectively addressed the serious concerns of members.

“Members have been subjected to unacceptable behaviour.

“Despite recent changes, members remain to be convinced that the underlying culture and processes have changed.”

Mrs Foote said members had “no faith or confidence that matters at the school will improve.”

She said: “A school cannot function without this faith and confidence – it is just not acceptable that professionals who have the best interests of the pupils in mind are treated so poorly and their views ignored.”

The strike comes just weeks after headteacher David Lewis asked to be released from his contract “for family reasons.”

In a statement on the school’s website Helen Gilroy, acting headteacher, said: “We know many parents are concerned about the proposed strike action. Please be assured that the trust and academy council are doing their utmost to bring this to a mutually satisfactory conclusion. Please bear with us in our considerable efforts to find a resolution with the unions.

“Our pupils’ education is of paramount importance and this remains at the heart of our endeavours. We are investigating ways that we can open at least part of the school during any strike action beyond that due to take place on Tuesday, November 3 and will keep parents informed.”