Staff at a primary school are set to strike over plans to make teachers and teaching assistants redundant.
Most teachers at Western Road Community Primary School in Lewes are either in job shares or part time and the school has the equivalent of 8.7 teachers for its seven classes.
The school told staff it plans to reduce that to seven – and at the same time reducing the number of teaching assistants from seven to five.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) have voted unanimously (100% yes vote on 100% turnout) in favour of strike action.
NEU representatives are negotiating but members are opposed to compulsory redundancies and have serious concerns about how the cuts will affect workload and the service the school can provide for its children.
Members will take strike action on the following dates:
- Wednesday 12 March
- Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 March
- Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 March
Pickets will take place outside the school from 8am-9am on each strike day.
Phil Clarke, NEU regional secretary said: “Taking industrial action is a last resort for our members. However they have been left with no choice as it is very clear that these cuts to front line staffing will have significant negative impact on the education the children at Western Road receive.
“We will be working with management to try and negotiate a solution so strike action can be avoided if possible.
“East Sussex County Council, as the employer, needs to provide support for the school and clearly show they understand it is unacceptable for children to suffer the consequences of inadequate school funding.”
A spokesperson for Western Road Primary School said: “We have been in regular discussion with the union over the staffing restructure proposals, which are necessary for the school to set a balanced budget.
“The current proposal is to reduce the number of teaching assistants by two, not four, from seven to five, and the number of teachers from 8.71 to seven.
“The consultation in relation to the proposed staffing restructure has been extended, and now closes on 14 March.”
