School picketed as teachers stage strike

The picket line outside Crompton House School.

SAVE our school — that was the message from striking teachers at Crompton House this morning.

Members of the NUT and NAUWT unions staged a one-day walk out against the proposals by one of Oldham’s top performing schools to become an academy.

Passing motorists tooted their horns in support as the Church of England secondary was closed for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 pupils, who were told to study at home. Older pupils nearing exams were in school.

The unions say that the concerns of the vast majority of teachers at Crompton House are being ignored.

Academies receive their finding directly from the Government and have more freedom over the curriculum, term dates and teachers’ pay and conditions.

They believe the move would harm the school and that no decision should be taken until a successor is appointed to head teacher Elise Tough, who is retiring.

Tony Harrison, branch secretary of Oldham NUT said any extra funding for an academy would come out of the budgets of other schools, and there was no guarantee it would continue.

He added: “There is great enthusiasm for taking the action today, tinged with sadness, because some of these people have never been on strike before. It’s not something we like to do.

“Hopefully this will encourage the governors to enter into more serious discussions and negotiations. If not we have to reserve the right to decide whether we take further action.”

Karen Hopwood, of the NASUWT executive, who was on the picket line, said members at the school feel strongly about protecting the interests of their pupils and keeping their school as part of the local community.

She added: “Teachers at the school are highly committed and hardworking and the decision to take industrial action was not taken lightly. It is felt that such a high-achieving school is facing an uncertain future by these proposals and educational standards could be compromised.

“Teachers want to remain in a school that is firmly linked to the local authority and is an integral part of the local family of schools.

“Strike action is always a last resort but the staff feel that they have no choice as their concerns aboutÒThese proposals are demoralising staff and destabilising educational provision.Ó