Locked-out teachers to resume classes

A union announced that teachers, who had been locked out of a secondary school following their vote for industrial action short of a strike, are scheduled to resume teaching on Thursday. The NASUWT stated that approximately 25 of its members at Gable Hall School in Corringham, Essex, had consented to “de-escalate” their industrial action. This decision was made “to provide the employer with the opportunity to meet with us and negotiate a resolution to the current dispute over workload and working practices”. The teachers’ union further indicated that should no chance for resolving the disagreement arise, additional industrial action would likely occur in January. Requests for comment regarding this recent announcement have been directed to the school’s principal and the academy trust responsible for its operation. In the course of the dispute, the Ortu Federation, which manages the school, informed the BBC that it had instructed staff to “fulfil contractual obligations of 1,265 hours per academic year as set out in the current edition of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, which came into force on 3 November 2023”. The federation opted to exclude staff from the school on 11 December, following their refusal to perform assigned tasks. A staff letter from the federation stated: “During this period of industrial action, the participating employees should stay away from work and will not be paid… until they are prepared to comply with their contractual obligations in full.” The NASUWT explained its decision to have members return to classrooms was made to avert any additional adverse effects on students and “to allow educational trips and visits to take place unaffected by the employer’s actions”. Patrick Roach, the union’s general secretary, asserted that they were “ready and willing to engage in negotiations at any time, as we have been throughout this dispute.” He further commented that “The decision of the employer to lock out our members is damaging pupils’ education.” Separately, the GMB union reported gathering approximately 700 signatures in opposition to the proposed elimination of 30 support staff positions at Gable Hall School and Hassenbrook Academy in nearby Stanford-le-Hope, both of which are managed by the Ortu Federation. The GMB union asserted that it had been informed these reductions were essential due to an alleged £1.2 million “accounting error.” Jasmin Deans, a GMB regional organiser, stated: “Support staff play a vital role in ensuring the wellbeing and safety of pupils – particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).” She also expressed the union’s profound concern that students with Send might no longer receive the necessary support. Gable Hall and the Ortu Federation have been approached for comments regarding the alleged financial deficit and any prospective job reductions. The Ortu Federation is currently undergoing a transfer to the Mossbourne Federation, effective from January.