Teachers set to strike at Sinfin Community School after takeover by Government
TEACHERS at a Derby school are to take strike action over a proposal to turn it into an academy.
Members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers have voted overwhelmingly to strike at Sinfin Community School.
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Sinfin Community School
Last month, Education Secretary Michael Gove stepped in to set up an interim executive board – replacing the existing governing body – over concerns about poor educational standards at the school.
This was prompted after the school failed an Ofsted inspection and had a monitoring visit in June which judged it had not improved sufficiently.
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The interim board will begin consulting soon over the conversion to an academy with the Government's preferred sponsor, Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust, which is based in Nottingham.
The board's refusal yesterday to withdraw the academy plans has brought strike action a step nearer.
Dave Wilkinson, NASUWT branch secretary, said: "We are looking at two days of action before Christmas on this issue. I have proposed joint strike action to the National Union of Teachers, given that they have an active ballot as well.
"The ballot results at Sinfin give the NUT the opportunity to join NASUWT in opposing Greenwood Dale's plans for a takeover of Sinfin and I am awaiting their response."
NUT branch secretary Ian Jennison said that the strike option was being considered.
The NASUWT is locked in a second dispute with the school over its handling of teacher monitoring, which it has branded as "intrusive".
Six days of strike action had been planned on this separate issue before Christmas but these have been put on hold pending further talks.
Derby City Council has said it is taking legal action against the Government in a bid to block its plans to turn the school into an academy.
It claims that improvements are already taking place after improved GCSE results this summer, although it had plans to impose its own interim executive board, which were scuppered by the Government's action.
Councillor Martin Rawson, city council cabinet member for children and young people, said challenging the Government's stance on Sinfin Community School was the right thing to do.
He said: "There is slim evidence that simply changing the name of a school to 'academy' improves standards nationally or that it would in Derby."
A Government spokesman insisted it was right to demand a takeover and said: "Academies have already turned around hundreds of struggling secondary schools across the country and are improving their results."
Comments
by Niki2011
Friday, December 14 2012, 2:42PM
“Some of the reasons for striking are as follows: Forced into an IEB direct from DFES - consultation is being undertaken as we speak, however it is minimal and very one sided - I know quite a few of the teachers within the school and they have voted to strike not because of being "monitored" all of the teachers I know are quite happy with this and any relevant OFSTED inspections - the principle is around that the school has continued to improve year on year, yet Mr Gove has still "forced" the IEB with no other options at the moment, an opportunity round table discussion has been minimal. The existing school and its teachers has fostered "continuous improvement" and have improved (unlike lots of other schools in Derbyshire) the teachers are not striking because they are afraid of improving, being monitored or having the performance challenged. They are striking as history so far with Academy conversions has shown job losses, know parental discussion or involvement just a "you will do or else" scenario.”
by Bernithebolt
Sunday, December 09 2012, 8:39PM
“Now confirmed the Unions are paying the teachers on strike. They don't really vote for a strike then.
It would also be interesting to know about parental choices. I understand there current numbers in the first year of the school are really low ( less than 100 ). If the numbers for next September are low (and why wouldn't they be?) then eventually extensive job losses are inevitable. Beware what you wish for !!!”
by Bendigeidfran
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 10:43PM
“Why are these leftie teachers afraid of being monitored? Is it because they know they are useless?
If they go on strike, just hand them their P45's as they are not fit role models for children.”
by allinfairness
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 5:52PM
“Striking against academy conversion following years of under performance. Great for the kids (not). As for 'intrusive monitoring' what do they mean here? I suspect the new leadership want to monitor performance to raise standards (god forbid) and a number of teachers, probably the inadequate ones are finding this a tad uncomfortable. In my view the teachers need to roll their sleeves up and embrace a new climate of continuous improvement. This can only happen if the quality of teaching improves and monitoring, performance management or whatever you want to call it is essential in achieving this. In what other sector anywhere in the world would people strike as a result of their performance being monitored for effectiveness? It beggars belief!”
by coralsea
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 5:32PM
“brill news at least there will be loads of room on the arriva buses around sinfin lol”
by asctty
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 2:21PM
“'Councillor Martin Rawson, city council cabinet member for children and young people, said challenging the Government's stance on Sinfin Community School was the right thing to do.'
Probably quoted out of context. If not is the council now condoning strike action?”
by Bernithebolt
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 1:48PM
“I have asked before if the union will be paying the striking teachers. If they are then they are voting for paid holiday. Will the Derby ET please find the answer. If they are being paid, and I suspect they are, II wonder what the parents view will be if they have to lose pay to look after the younger pupils.”
by Bernithebolt
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 1:42PM
“Ukandym
The grades were not above government targets they were just above the floor targets which is the minimum level. The rise in results mean that the results were less bad. This is completely different to being above target and raising standards.
If you think Ofsted simply want to destabilise the school then you are deluded. This type of conspiracy theory does not help rational professional debate. If you also think this is turn round there is no hope. In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king !”
by ukandym
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 11:28AM
“Sorry, pressed enter by mistake. The grades were improving at Sinfin, and above Government targets. What do I suggest to turn things around? They already have been.”
by ukandym
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 11:26AM
“and mark_sinfin, the grades were improving at S”