Two day strike starts at Darland High School over “widespread adverse management practices”

Teachers at Darland High School are taking two days of strike action, today and tomorrow. NASUWT members at the school are in dispute with school management over “widespread adverse management practices”.

Teachers union NASUWT said, “Striking is a last resort for teachers. Since the last two days of strike action in March, there has been insufficient progress on the adverse management practices which make Darland teachers’ working lives intolerably difficult. Members are concerned for their safety at work as a result of teaching in poorly maintained and potentially dangerous buildings. Teachers are also concerned about excessive workloads and victimisation.”

Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – the Teachers’ Union, said: “Schools cannot function adequately unless teachers are respected, valued and supported by their leadership teams. NASUWT members at Darland High School have endeavoured for almost a year to resolve issues with management practices but have been ignored and undermined, time and time again.

“Leaders at Darland High School must come back to the table immediately and be ready to engage in constructive dialogue for change.”

Neil Butler, National Official for Wales, said: “It is alarming that management at Darland High School expect teachers and pupils to take lessons in classrooms that are unsafe. It is additionally unacceptable that they cannot execute effective behaviour management policies that are essential for teacher and pupil safety. NASUWT will continue to support members at Darland as they fight for the safe and fair working conditions they are entitled to by law.”