NASUWT: Teachers strike as academy plans are bulldozed through
Members of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, are set to strike over the takeover of their school by the University of Chester.
A day of strike action has been called at Shorefields Technology College in response to Government-supported plans by the University of Chester to turn the school into an academy.
On Tuesday 19 July, the day of the strike, teachers from the school will travel by bus to petition the university and then will travel on to Chester Cathedral where they will hand a petition to Dr Peter Forster, Lord Bishop of Chester and President of the University Council.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:
“These plans are opposed overwhelmingly by parents and teachers.
“Liverpool City Council voted unanimously against the school becoming an academy with councillors describing the expansion of the University of Chester Academies Trust as a ‘hostile takeover’ of good schools.
“In spite of this, the university is continuing, with the support of the Government, to bulldoze the plans through.
“It is disgraceful that the views of parents and teachers are simply being ignored, but this is par for the course on academy conversion where all attempts are made to silence and sideline these critical groups.
“In the light of the intransigence of those pursuing academy status, strike action is the only option.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
A bus to transport the striking teachers to the University of Chester will leave Shorefields Technology College at 10.30am on Tuesday 19 July.
The staff will hand their petition in to the Vice-Chancellor’s office before marching to Chester Cathedral to petition the Lord Bishop.
Stuart Gannon
NASUWT Press Office
Tel: 020 7420 9681
Mobile (and out of hours contact): 07966 198894
Address: 5 King Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8SD
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