Waltham Forest (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Teachers at three Waltham Forest secondary schools – Lammas, Leytonstone, and Willowfield – have gone on strike amid concerns over the schools’ future.
On February 27, March 4, and March 5, teachers from Lammas, Leytonstone, and Willowfield schools went on strike. On March 11, 12, and 13, they will go on strike once more.
The coalition administration implemented PRP in 2013 in an effort to boost student achievement and keep teachers in the classroom. It implies that a teacher’s compensation is based on how well they perform during the year.
In September 2024, the Labour government eliminated the “bureaucratic requirement” of performance-related remuneration in schools, though local governments were free to maintain it if they so desired.
In 2024, the workload reduction task team reviewed PRP and raised concerns that it “works poorly in practice and does not have a commensurate positive impact on teaching and learning.” This led to the conclusion.
“PRP compounds the recruitment and retention crisis and systemic inequalities,” the National Education Union (NEU) adds, citing a “increase in workload and reduction in professional creativity and innovation” under the program.
Despite the Waltham Forest Council’s intention to eliminate PRP in accordance with government directives, Robin Talbot, assistant secretary for NEU Waltham Forest, informed the Echo that the council’s official policy is “unclear” on whether advancement is automatic and yearly for all tiers.
The National Education Union (NEU) has a particular issue with the wording in the council’s pay policy statement – which states:
“All eligible teachers and leaders should receive pay progression, unless they are subject to capability procedures.”
Talbot suggests that the council revise the language to clearly indicate that all teachers, regardless of seniority, receive “automatic and annual” wage progression.
He said:
“The LBWF policy unfortunately is a pay policy which retains PRP due to the reference to appraisals and subjective and potentially discriminatory decision making.”
A council spokesperson said:
“In line with national guidance in relation to teachers’ pay and conditions, Waltham Forest has already abolished PRP for teachers in the borough.
At a positive meeting with the unions on Tuesday (4th March), it was agreed that a small working party of unions and local government officers would work together to clarify the wording of the guidance in relation to teachers’ pay progression, in accordance with the national terms and conditions for teachers.
The council is committed to resolving this matter at pace.”
They added that they are aware that some of the strike action is also related to specific issues in individual schools, and we are working with school leaders and unions to resolve these matters with support from the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
Parents on Facebook have publicly criticised the strikes, with one writing:
“Just received a message from Leytonstone School. They will be striking during year eleven mock exams. I’m sorry, I think that’s very unfair in the year eleven.”
A parent at Willowfield School, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Echo that her kids’ education had been disrupted by the strikes.
She claimed that because of the strike on Tuesday, March 4, her kids had long breaks, an extended assembly, and none of their regular teachers.
She explained:
“They’re keeping the school open but not much is getting done. One of my kids was sent home after lunch and told their last lesson of the day would be online. I know that online learning just isn’t as effective.”
A letter to Willowfield School parents from headteacher Rebecca Linden that was seen by the Echo accuses striking NEU staff of taking the school’s management by surprise.
She wrote:
“I am very sorry to relay to you that we have received a notification of a ballot for strike action from the NEU.
The notification was a complete surprise and listed issues that have never been raised before, removing the opportunity to resolve them in a positive manner.
My priority will always be the safeguarding of the education and wellbeing of the children and staff at Willowfield and I am extremely disappointed that the NEU are choosing to put this at risk.”
Members of NEU Waltham Forest, according to Talbot, were acting due to a “range of issues” at schools. Members may witness “unfair workload” and “unfair management practices.”
When asked what the NEU would say to parents who were frustrated by disruption, Talbot said that it’s unfortunate that there are [parents] who believe it is disruptive, but at the at the end of the day, they would agree we need properly paid staff, as otherwise we’ll have a race to the bottom in the education sector.
He added:
“Strikes are always the last resort.”
A spokesperson from Lammas School said:
“The school remains hopeful that the call for industrial action will be resolved so that pupils will not be disadvantaged. [Lammas] has been working with union representatives and are always keen to resolve the need for strikes.”
Requests for response from Willowfield School and Leytonstone School were not answered.
What are the main reasons behind the teacher strikes at Lammas, Leystone, and Willowfield schools?
Teachers who feel that PRP is unjust and subjective are going on strike to protest its continuation. Experienced instructors may endure salary stagnation as a result of the system’s arbitrary link between pay progression and reaching predetermined benchmarks.
Teachers contend that PRP gives head teachers the authority to make arbitrary judgments regarding pay progression, which may be impacted by variables unrelated to the caliber of instruction.
Teachers become frustrated and feel unfairly treated as a result.
Teachers also point to structural injustices and unfair workload practices as causes of the walkout.
They contend that PRP makes these problems worse by increasing administrative workloads and generating anxiety about hitting performance goals.
The strike is being led by the National Education Union (NEU). According to the union, PRP systems have flaws and can cause experienced teachers’ compensation to stagnate, even if they perform well.