‘Alternative arrangements’ - Academy trust cannot guarantee schools will stay open during teacher walk-out

Gatehouse Green Learning Trust says keeping schools open will be the priority, where possible
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

An academy trust has issued a statement on upcoming strike action by teachers - stating ‘alternative arrangements’ will be introduced if classrooms cannot be kept open.

On February 1, members of the National Education Union will hold a national walk-out in a dispute Department for Education over pay. They want more than the five per cent increase offered in wages.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Government is urging school leaders to use measures like bringing in supply teachers or adopting bigger class sizes to keep schools open on the day, and reduce disruption for parents.

Bristol World has contacted a number of trusts with schools in Bristol. Olympus Academy Trust, Oasis Acadamy and Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust have all said they have no plans yet in place for the day.

At Gatehouse Green Learning Trust (GGLT), leaders also said they were still in the stage of assessing the impact of the strike. The trustsaid the priority was to keep its schools open, but said alternative arrangements would be put in place if they couldn’t be.

The trust runs Ashton Park Secondary, Redland Green Secondary, Compass Point Primary in Bedminster, Ashton Vale Priamry and Luckwell Primary in Bedminster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a statement, it said: “All schools in the GGLT have been notified of the upcoming strike action. The trust and schools are now working with the unions to clarify the numbers of staff who will be involved in the action, and to understand the effect this will have on each school. When the full details are known, each school will assess what provision can be made available.

“The priority for our schools is to remain open, where possible, and to provide high quality education in a safe environment for students and staff. If due to reduced staffing levels a safe environment cannot be guaranteed, alternative arrangements will be put in place.”

Redland Green SchoolRedland Green School
Redland Green School

“Following the challenging teaching and learning environment that was created during the covid lock-down periods, and new ways of teaching and learning that were developed during that time, our schools now have a variety of tools and resources to support students should adjustments to the school provision be necessary.”

It continued that GGLT supported staff in seeking fair remuneration for their work.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said school leaders had ‘huge symptathy’ with teachers striking and were ‘just as frustrated’ over the Government’s response to pay demands.

The NEU says a pay rise above inflation should be offered, stating that real-terms pay cuts had led to many leaving the profession.

The NEU is the largest union representing teachers in the UK. It has said February 1 will the first of seven days of strikes over the next two months. On the same day, rail unions RMT and Aslef, and the University and College Union will be holding a walk-out.

Bristol City Council has been contacted for comment on the teachers’ walk-out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: "Given the ballot results and information about plans for strike action have been received from the Department for Education, we will be working with schools both collectively and individually to assess the likely impact across our local area, supporting schools to implement measures required to manage the impact as necessary, including communicating with staff, parents and the local community on a timely and relevant basis.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.