The battle against job cuts at Avenue Primary School

People campaigning to keep Calverton Primary School open (see below) (Picture: Miriam Scharf)

Workers in the NEU education union at Avenue Primary School in Manor Park, east London, struck this week over plans to make teachers and teaching support workers redundant. Around 45 people joined the picket line on Tuesday.

“No, no, no forced redundancies,” “Cutting staff hurts children,” “More cuts at the top” were the chants on the picket line.

Head teacher, Lee Franklin-Lewis, announced to workers on 30 January that drastic cuts would take place in restructuring required to rectify a deficit budget.

The restructuring proposal meant that, in addition to office workers, a site supervisor and other non-classroom based workers, seven teachers and at least 12 teaching support workers would face the chop. In addition to this midday supervisors and a cleaner are having their hours reduced.

One teacher said, “There’s a lot of frustration. No one wants children to lose any education.”

She said, “I absolutely want to keep my job. It’s a wonderful community to be part of.

“Some of the parents thought the strike was about pay. Through our action they’ve been made aware of the real issues and they support us.”

Members of the NEU voted unanimously to take action to ensure there are no compulsory redundancies and that the process is reviewed, taking place over a slightly longer period of time. So far there are five teachers and approximately ten support workers who have opted for voluntary redundancy.

The NEU is asking for the process to be extended over the next academic year.

Another teacher added, “The school have spent money on things that don’t benefit the children.

“There should be more accountability as to the money the school gets and where it goes.”

Newham NEU branch officer, Louise Cuffaro said, “We recognise the need for cuts but no other Newham school in this situation has proposed such drastic cuts over such a short period of time.

“Some members of staff have already volunteered to take redundancy but we need the timeline extended to include the next academic year so that no one faces compulsory redundancies. The restructuring proposal can and should be revised.”

NEU reps met with parents recently, as the union knew that parents are being kept in the dark as to the nature of the dispute. Parents were shocked to hear the proposals.

They were disappointed that there had been no communication or consultation with them about proposed changes. This was until a recent letter was sent by the school outlining industrial action dates but without any meaningful explanation about why this was happening.

Workers at Avenue Primary School are seeking a swift resolution, and on the picket line, they have stressed they would much rather be teaching. But members remain opposed to compulsory redundancies and have serious concerns about how the cuts will affect workload.

There is also concerns about the quality of education and the safety and wellbeing that they can provide for children if these drastic cuts are not addressed.

The NEU continues to work with management and the local authority to negotiate a solution to avoid further disruption. But without any solution, members will continue industrial action with pickets of both workers and parents, to take place outside the school from 8am to 9am each day.

Newham council must not close any schools

Campaigners held a lobby outside East Ham Town Hall, east London on Tuesday morning as part of a push to keep a local school open.

Newham council cabinet were opening the consultation on Calverton Primary School’s future. Activists’ “Save Our School” leaflet explains how every class participates in Forest School and it has a large and hugely experienced staff for Send children.

Many parents at the protest had been through the school themselves, some had children who had left, all were passionate about saving the school.

Liam, one of the NEU reps said, “Closure would be a tragedy for the local community. The amazing turnout at this lobby reflects the strength of feeling.

“It’s an example of the spirit and pride in our school and a model for other schools. There are financial options that have not been explored.

“One proposed re-structure plan could save £300,000 and, if we hadn’t been forced to be part of a federation, we could have saved another £25,000. The deficit is only £600,000.

“We can push the local authority to help the school, it’s definitely possible. We are the first to fight closure in Newham and we won’t be the last. We need to fight together.”

Reverend Dave, minister at a local church with strong connections to the school, was there handing out leaflets. He explained, “Calverton is a great community school. It should be invested in, not closed. The community in Custom House already feels abandoned and this would be another sign that the government are not interested in our areas.”