Woodhouse High School, site of the proposed privately funded Academy
Teachers at five of Tamworths Secondary Schools have voted to strike in protest against the plans for an Academy within Tamworth.
Staffordshire County Council, as part of their Building Staffordshires Future scheme, plan on transforming Woodhouse High School into a privately funded Academy, whilst removing sixth form provision from the remaining publicly funded secondary schools.
Teachers at five of the towns secondary schools have been balloted by the National Union of Teachers (NUT), asking if they should make a stand to the changes themselves. As a result of this, teachers belonging to the NUT will strike on Wednesday 20 May, effecting Belgrave High School, Queen Elizabeth Mercian School, Rawlett Community Sports College, Wilnecote High School and Woodhouse School. Teachers belonging to the NASUWT at all schools except QEMS will also join the industrial action.
Rob Kellsal, regional officer for the NUT said;
“We won’t let the council off the hook at this stage. Our members are absolutely up for taking action.”
Teachers at Belgrave, Wilnecote and Woodhouse schools have already taken action in protest against the planned changes, refusing to take provide extra cover, attend meetings or support extra curricular activity.
This controversial scheme has been met with criticism from the parents of Tamworth, who have formed HOTS (Hand of Tamworths Schools). As part of their campaign, parents are standing in the upcoming County Council elections on June 4, hopeful of providing a voice within the County Council and see these plans changed.
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