Members of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union are taking two days of strike action at The Trinity Catholic School in Aspley, Nottingham, in response to changing working conditions which will have an adverse effect on staffing levels, planning time and class sizes. These changes will impact both on teacher workload and the education of the students.

The Union has entered into negotiations with the Trust and members have made considerable concessions in relation to planning time and teaching outside of specialism but cannot accept reduction in staffing at the level required by the Trust. Members feel that there should be sufficient staffing levels to maintain eight classes per year group across the school.

The NASUWT remains committed to resolving this dispute but remains open to considering further escalation of this dispute in the Autumn term if necessary.

NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:

“Strike action is the last thing that teachers want to do but they have left with no choice due to the intransigence of the Trust in attempting to force through changes to members’ working conditions that will have an adverse impact on the education of the pupils at the school.

“We have sought at every stage of this process to work with the Trust, but due to a lack of progress our members have been left with no option than to move to strike action.

“The Employer must now listen and work with us if further strike action is to be avoided.”

Anne Thompson, National Executive Member for Nottingham said:

“Our members are disappointed that we have not been able to resolve the dispute at Trinity.

“NASUWT members are determined to make a stand against changes which will impact both on their workload and the education of the pupils at Trinity.

“We have met with the Trust on several occasions and have made concessions and we hope it will put an updated offer to our members in order to avoid this strike action.”