Stuart Woodward/BBCLocked-out teachers at a secondary school are to return to classrooms on Thursday after voting to take industrial action following a strike, a union said.
The NASUWT said around 25 members had agreed to “de-escalate” their action at Gable Hall School in Corringham, Essex, to allow the employer to meet with us and resolve the current dispute over workload and working practices. To provide an opportunity for discussion. “
The teachers’ union added that further industrial action is likely in January if the dispute is not resolved.
The principal of the school and the academy trust that runs it have been asked to respond to the latest announcement.
During the dispute, the Orto Federation, which runs the school, told the BBC it had asked staff members to “meet contractual obligations of 1,265 hours per academic year such as school teachers’ pay and The current edition of the Terms document entered into force on 3 November 2023.
It took the decision to keep staff outside the school on December 11 when they decided not to. Comply with tasks.
“During this period of industrial action, participating employees must remain off work and will not be paid until they are ready to fully comply with their contractual obligations,” it said. said in a staff letter.
The NASUWT said it took the decision to return to classrooms to prevent further negative impact on pupils and to “allow educational visits and visits without being affected by employer measures”.
The union’s general secretary, Patrick Roach, said they were “ready and willing to engage in negotiations at any time, as we have been throughout this dispute”.
He added that the employer’s decision to lock out our members is harming students’ education.
Stuart Woodward/BBCIn separate action, the GMB union said it had collected almost 700 signatures opposing the loss of 30 support staff at Gable Hall School and the Ortho Federation-run Hassenbrook Academy in nearby Stanford-le-Hope. Another one.
The union claimed it was told these were necessary cuts due to an alleged “accounting error” of £1.2m.
GMB regional organiser, Jasmine Deans, said: “Support staff play a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of students – particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (send).”
He added that the union is deeply concerned that SEND pupils will no longer get the support they need.
Gable Hall and Orto Federation have been asked to comment on the alleged financial shortfall and any potential job cuts.
The Orto Federation has been in the process of moving to the Mossborne Federation since January.