Teachers strike against academy plans for school in Brent

Teachers at St Andrew and St Francis School in Brent struck today, Wednesday, against plans to turn the school into an academy.

The strike involved workers in the NUT and ATL unions. Local NUT member Stefan Simms, who is a member of the NUT’s national executive committee, visited pickets.

“The mood was good and the picket line was big for a primary school,” he told Socialist Worker. “Support staff in the GMB and Unison unions said they wanted to be on strike too. Teachers plan to strike for two days next week.”

Lesley Gouldbourne, secretary of Brent NUT, said the school is “not a failing school”. She added, “This government is increasingly forcing schools to become academies, whether the parents like it or not.

“What happened to parental choice?”

ATL secretary Hank Roberts described a consultation over the academy plan as a “farce”. “Parents and staff are standing firm to defend their children’s education,” he added.

Parents have organised a petition against the academy proposal.