Mixed reaction from parents over industrial action
Thousands of local children are being forced to stay home from school today because of strike action by teaching staff.
W12 primary schools which are completely closed include Bentworth, Greenside, Old Oak, Wormholt Park and Wendell Park. But the Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School in Gayford Road said there were only two classes without teachers today and at Pope John Catholic Primary on Commonwealth Avenue, they said they had no teachers striking at all.
Meanwhile, at Miles Coverdale Primary, some teachers are taking part in the industrial action. “We’re partially closed,” said Headteacher, Anne Hennessey. “The parents I’ve spoken to support the teachers,” she added.
Around the corner on Uxbridge Road, St Stephen’s remains open and parents brought their children to school this morning as usual.
Reactions to the strike were mixed: “I think if it is the only way teachers are able to demonstrate their dissatisfaction, they’ve got every right to do it,” said one father as he dropped off his son.
“I don’t have any strong opinions but I wouldn’t say it’s a bad thing. Why not?” said another parent as she brought her child in.
But one grandmother, bringing her grandson in to St Stephen’s, also had an older child to look after at home as his school – Wormholt Park – was closed. “I don’t think it’s good for the children,” she said. “They want to learn”.
Both of W12’s secondary schools are remaining open today. “We’re not really affected by the strike,” said a spokesperson at Burlington Danes Academy. “It’s business as usual”. Phoenix High School is also open, but there will only be a limited amount of teaching going on: “Most teachers are striking, but non-striking teachers are still coming in,” the school said.
As late as Wednesday, H&F council were still unable to say which schools in the borough would be closing. “We are encouraging schools to stay open and are still in discussions with governors and head teachers,” a spokesperson said.
The National Union of Teachers called the strike in protest at a 2.45% pay rise, but the union’s acting general secretary Christine Blower said the industrial action was a "last resort", following three years of below inflation pay increases.
The Job Centre Plus at Shepherd’s Bush Green is also closed today as part of a public sector workers’ strike.
Yasmine Estaphanos
April 24, 2008