Join us on picket line, teachers urge parents

4:48pm Thursday 12th June 2008

TEACHERS at a school set to become a privately-backed academy are to take further strike action.

Members of the National Union of Teachers at Withins School in Breightmet will stage a walk-out next Wednesday.

It will be the second time staff have taken industrial action over the controversial plans to take the school out of local authority control and place it in the hands of private organisations.

Secretary of the Bolton branch of the NUT, Barry Conway, said: "The strike last time was supported by pupils and teachers from other schools. "This time we want parents to come and join us on Wednesday morning. Our reasons for doing this are the same as last time. The careers of teachers are being handed over to another employer."

The decision to strike comes just days after all but four members of the 100-strong teaching staff signed a letter to the governing body expressing "deep" concerns over plans to shut the school and reopen it as an academy next January.

The teachers' letter says: "Many of the staff at the school are deeply worried about the decision that has been taken to close the school and open a privatised academy'.

"This letter has been sent to you by Withins staff who are concerned about these decisions which will have a dramatic impact on them, generations of pupils, other community schools and local residents."

The plans are part of Government measures to raise educational standards in deprived areas. Teachers will form a picket outside the school at 7am next Wednesday.

Mr Conway said: "The numbers of teachers going on strike will affect the running of the school. It is with reluctance we have to take this action. We are working to ensure children's education is not affected by this action."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We are continuing to work with the NUT to seek a resolution to the outstanding issues."

It is unclear at this stage whether the school will be open.

• Proposals to turn Hayward School in Great Lever into an academy formally went out to a six-week consultation yesterday.