Teachers at Kent school to strike over job cuts
NEU members at Goodwin Academy, Deal are staging industrial action
Staff at a Kent secondary school are to take strike action next month, against planned redundancies of teachers and support assistants.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) at Goodwin Academy in Deal will walk out on June 3rd, 12th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th and 26th.
A strike ballot was held in May, after staff were told the school intended to reduce the number of teachers and support staff through compulsory redundancies.
Four NEU members are currently at risk of compulsory redundancy.
Representatives from the union have been holding talks with the school and the Thinking Schools Academy Trust which runs it.
The NEY say they'll 'continue to negotiate to seek a resolution' but tell us they're 'opposed to compulsory redundancies'.
Concerns have been raised about how cuts could affect staff workloads and impact student learning.
Jamie Pout, South Kent NEU Joint Secretary said:
“Taking industrial action is a last resort for our members however, they have been left with no choice as it is very clear that these cuts to front line staffing will have significant negative impact on the education the children at Goodwin receive.
“We will be working with management to try and negotiate a solution so strike action can be avoided if possible. The Thinking Schools Academy Trust as the employer need to provide support for the school and clearly show they understand it is unacceptable for children to suffer the consequences of inadequate school funding.”