‘It feels premeditated’: Primary school staff strike over proposed academy transfer
Primary school staff took to the picket line yesterday in a strike against the academisation of their school.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) who work at Southborough Primary School in Southborough Lane, Bromley, opposed the decision to transfer the management of the school from Bromley council to the Pioneer Academy trust.
NEU branch secretary Izzy Hickmet said: “Members feel railroaded by this proposal, it has very much been sold to staff as a done deal.”
The union said staff at the school were worried about how payroll and HR services would be managed by the trust, and felt being funded by the council provided an extra level of security.
John Friend, senior regional officer at the NEU, who joined the picket line yesterday morning, said: “Members were very concerned with what was going on.
“Going on strike is the last thing they want to be doing. Their thoughts and concerns are very much with the school and the future of the school.”
Mr Friend said union members at the school were told last month that a pre-consultation period would begin for the proposal, followed by a formal consultation next month.
But staff and parents at the school felt they were not fully consulted on the proposal before plans to convert the school were put forward.
Instead, said Mr Friend: “Staff were told they will be joining the academy, they are being consulted on how that will happen.
“There has been no evidence of meaningful investigation into whether the school can stay under the management of the council.
“It feels very premeditated.”
The union has called for an extension of the consultation process until February, and for the school to consider all options. Mr Friend said the demands have not yet been answered.
The union plans to host a public meeting to host discussions with parents on November 6 at Bromley Scout Hut in Homemead Road.
Councillor Kate Lymer, Bromley council’s deputy leader and executive councillor for children, education and families, said the local authority supports the work of the Interim Executive Board (IEB) at Southborough Primary School, which was approved to address serious concerns following a breakdown in leadership and governance at the school.
She said: “We recognise the significant improvements in the quality of education overseen by the IEB, with the appointment of The Pioneer Academy providing further capacity and expertise to support the school’s continued improvement.
“We are very disappointed that the NEU has decided to take strike action despite full engagement by the IEB as employer.
“Our overriding priority is to ensure all pupils receive high quality education in a strong and successful school. We call on the NEU to reverse their decision and avert the regrettable disruption of this strike action on busy families and on children’s education.”
Pioneer Academy and Southborough Primary School have been approached for comment.
Pictured top: Union representatives and Southborough Primary School at the picket line yesterday morning (Picture: NEU)