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Schools close as staff take industrial action

by Amy Glendinning
23/ 4/2008

A STRIKE organised by members of the National Union of Teachers is expected to lead to the closure of three of the town’s primary schools and disruption to teaching at two high schools and one primary school today (Thursday).

All Souls’ Primary, Woodland Primary and St Margaret’s Primary schools are being forced to close for the day as there are not enough staff to supervise pupils. All Souls’ Primary School headteacher Gaynor Rennie said: "We would not want to put any pupils at risk by not having adequate supervision so we will be closed all day."

Children in six classes at Harwood Park Primary are also staying at home as their teachers take part in the action over pay.

Headteacher Julie Pickles said: "Six members of staff are taking part in the action and the classes of those teachers will be off. However, four classes will remain in school that day as their teachers are not taking part."

Children in Years seven, nine and 11 at Holy Family College are also missing a day of teaching, although lessons are unaffected for pupils in Years eight and 10, whose teachers are not taking part in action.

A small number of pupils at Siddal Moor Sports College are also affected although, by and large, the college remains open as usual. Deputy headteacher Nigel Seaborn said: "The school will not be closing although a small minority of students will be affected.We have made alternative arrangements for the students, such as starting later or finishing early, and have notified their parents."

Heywood Community High School is unaffected by the strike. Headteacher David Yates said: "The school will be open all day, as only one or two members of staff are taking part in the strike.It will be a normal day with business as usual."

Primary Schools Hopwood, St Joseph’s, St Michael’s Bamford and St Luke’s are able to remain open as usual.

Heap Bridge Village Primary School is also able to remain open while Our Lady and St Paul’s is partially closed for the day.

As many as 75 per cent of teaching staff who are members of the NUT voted in favour of a strike at the beginning of April over a proposed pay increase by the government, which was deemed too low.