More teachers to ballot for strike

6:23pm Wednesday 18th June 2008

MORE teachers have announced they will be balloted for strike action in protest at plans to turn their school into a privately-backed academy on the same day their colleagues have staged a walk-out.

News that members of the National Union of Teachers working at Hayward School are to vote on whether to take industrial action was revealed on the day their colleagues at Withins School in Breightmet went on strike for the second time to voice their anger against plans to turn their school into an academy.

Teachers at Withins School have warned they will take further industrial action if Bolton Council refuses to listen to their concerns.

Secretary of the Bolton-branch of the NUT, Barry Conway said: "Members of the NUT at Hayward will be balloted on whether to take strike action.

"This strike at Withins is not the end. Talks with members will be held and further action planned until the Bolton Council and the politicians listen to us. We are getting support from across the country."

The academy programme is part of national plans to raise standards in deprived areas.

The Government will invest £25 million and sponsors, who will effectively run the school, with put up £2 million.

Yesterday Withins School was shut as more than a quarter of the 100 staff staged a one-day walkout.

The school's union representative, Phil Roberts said: "This action is beginning to have an impact. We are gaining more support from the community, especially parents.

"The fact teachers are having to go on strike shows how angry they are that they have not been consulted on these plans. More teachers at the school are joining the union. They are worried about their terms and conditions. There has been no consultation."

English teacher Neil Gouldson added: "It is necessary to take this action. Our concerns are the same as they were months ago, but we are not being properly listened and being treated in a dismissive manner."

Under the academy programme, Withins School will be run by the Manchester Diocese and Rochdale-born David and Anne Crossland, who founded travel firm Airtours.

Bolton-based Entrepreneurs the Cohen brothers will govern Hayward School, with Bolton Council being a co-sponsor.