Teachers strike to close Withins School

11:31am Tuesday 17th June 2008

A SECONDARY school will be closed tomorrow as teachers strike over plans to turn it into a privately-backed academy.

Members of the National Union of Teachers at Withins School in Breightmet, are staging the walk out over the controversial move to take the school out of Bolton Council's control and in to the hands of private organisations.

This is the second time members of the NUT - which make up more than a quarter of the 100-strong staff -have taken strike action against the plans over which, they say, they have not been consulted.

Secretary of the Bolton branch of the NUT, Barry Conway, said: "It is sad that the authority and the sponsor through their actions have led to the one-day closure of the school.

"This action shows that Bolton does not want an academy. Turning schools into an academy is not about education, it is about business."

The one-day strike was announced as Unison confirmed its intention to ballot its members at Withins and Hayward School in Great Lever - which has also been earmarked to be turned into an academy - for industrial action. The union is angry about "the lack of consultation and potential changes to terms and conditions due to a transfer to a new employer".

Mr Conway warned that more action against the proposals would follow.

He said: "Unison's intention to ballot its members is wonderful and shows a united stance against the academy programme."

Unison branch secretary, Bernadette Gallagher, said: "This is a very important dispute and of huge significance as it would be the first time that Unison members in Bolton have taken action against the transfer of their employment to a private employer.

"Given the Government's agenda to create more academies, or trust schools, these members are potentially paving the way in opposing privatisation of education, albeit it is important to note, this is a trade dispute about protecting terms and conditions and not a strike about privatisation which, in this country, is illegal."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "We have been notified by Unison of their intention to hold a ballot for strike action at Hayward and Withins schools.

"We understand this affects around 63 school support staff, excluding catering, cleaning and grounds maintenance staff.

"We are disappointed that Unison are considering industrial action as we have maintained an open dialogue with them and further meetings are planned. We will continue to work with the unions and sponsors to try and resolve the issues identified.

"The strike ballot by Unison is in addition to a planned day of strike action at Withins School on Wednesday, June 18, by NUT members. The impact of this, or any other action, on pupils is to be regretted."