Staff at displaced school set for another strike

Staff at a displaced school are set to strike for a second time over a workload dispute.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary in Barrow, Cumbria, has been operating from temporary classrooms and other schools since January 2023, when a routine inspection found the floor was rotten and at risk of collapse.

Members of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) claimed staff had not been properly compensated "for the exceptional additional duties" and "excessive hours worked" following the emergency evacuation. They plan to strike on Monday and Tuesday.

Mater Christi Trust, which runs the school, said it had resolved all issues raised except for one and was "saddened" about the strike.

A trust spokesperson said the outstanding issue concerned a request for additional payment to "small group of staff in recognition of the additional demands" of working across different sites.

"The trust's position remains that this contribution has already been recognised through significant pay enhancements and additional support measures, costing in excess of £1m."

The trust said the school would remain shut during the strike, with National Education Union (NEU) members also expected to take part.

Provision will be made for children who receive free school meals, the trust said.

Teachers, parents and pupils already gathered on the picket line last month as part of a two-day strike.

The NAHT said despite discussions with mediating organisation ACAS, the trust had failed to meet deadlines for agreed improvements.

The union's senior regional head Natasha Nicholson said when the school was evacuated three years ago, staff had "stepped up without hesitation".

"They took on additional responsibilities, worked countless extra hours and made significant personal sacrifices to ensure pupils continued to receive the education and support they deserved."

Both the union and the trust said they were open to continue negotiating.

The trust's spokesperson said Mater Christi was responsible for 16 schools and more than 600 staff "with finite resources".

"In this context we must be fair and equitable in our approach to every member of staff at Sacred Heart and across the trust."

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