Haringey (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Parents in Haringey call for end to school strikes, criticizing head teachers for failing to negotiate with union members, as students miss crucial school days.
Only Fortismere and Highgate Wood have been closing their doors out of the five Haringey secondary schools that were initially threatened by possible strike action this week.
Gladesmore Community School has canceled two of its strike days because of last-minute developments in the negotiations.
After the leadership team failed to reach an agreement with its unionized staff, members of the National Education Union (NEU), a group of mothers of children enrolled in Fortismere Secondary School in Muswell Hill criticized the school for “depriving pupils of six days of vital learning.”
The strike, which began a week ago, is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, Friday, the 14th.
In an effort to support the teaching staff and assist settle the labor issue and prevent more strikes, the worried moms of Fortismere joined their children’s teachers on the picket line this morning, Thursday, the 13th.
Increasing class sizes from 27 to 30 students and reducing teachers’ non-contact time—the period of time they spend not teaching in the classroom but yet performing other crucial tasks like lesson planning and marking—are two contentious issues between the union and the headteachers.
Sara Hall, a mother of two Fortismere students, said:
“After years of austerity we all understand that state schools are under huge financial pressure and that there are no easy choices left to be made.
This is why it is essential that headteachers work constructively and creatively together with their teaching staff to find the least worst solution for everyone. At Fortismere this has not happened resulting in strikes and huge disruption for parents, teachers and pupils.
It is our children who suffer most from this failure of the grown ups in charge to lead negotiations to a successful outcome.”
Ana Bellver, mother of two Fortismere students, added:
“We are deeply disappointed by the ongoing teacher strikes at Fortismere Secondary School in Haringey. The failure of the two headteachers to reach an agreement has exacerbated the situation, leaving our dedicated educators overworked and underpaid.
This is a stark contrast to the progress achieved by Gladesmore Community School. The local authority and the government must recognise the urgent need for increased funding for our schools.
It is unacceptable that our teachers are forced to bear the brunt of systemic inadequacies.”
In the past, the Haringey Council has expressed hope that an agreement with the NEU will be struck and said that “progress is being made” in negotiations. It has stated that headteachers are currently facing budget deficits as a result of central funds being shifted to other boroughs, forcing it to enact cuts.
What were the reasons for the strike?
Proposals to expand class numbers from 27 to 30 pupils are being opposed by teachers who feel that this will have a detrimental effect on the learning environment.
This adjustment is a component of larger initiatives to match national budget levels.
In order to meet national criteria, head teachers also want to extend teacher-contact time. This could save expenses, but it might also have an impact on the quality of instruction.