Strikes at Sheffield's Tapton Secondary School over pay amid Y11 & Y13 exam season
Y11 and Y13 pupils’ exams are booked during the strike period
Union staff at one of Sheffield’s highest-performing schools will strike for six days in June amid exam season over redundancy and pay concerns.
Tapton School wrote home to parents on Friday (May 29) that staff in the National Education Union will hold walkouts when pupils return from their half term break.
Crucially, the industrial comes as Y11 and Y13 pupils are set to sit their GCSE and A-Level exams. The school says these will not be affected.
However, pupils in other years will find out on June 1 how the strikes could affect their final half-term of the academic year.
Industrial action at Tapton School will take place on:
- Thursday, June 4
- Wednesday, June 10
- Thursday, June 11
- Tuesday, June 16
- Wednesday, June 17
- Thursday, June 18
It comes after the school’s academy trust, INOVA, consulted on cost-saving cuts in its “finance, HR, IT and estates,” which has reportedly resulted in over half of staff not receiving a pay rise. The trust denies there will be any compulsory redundancies.
The letter from heads of school Anna Siddall and Harkiran Grewal reads: “We are aware that there has been some discussion and speculation locally, including inaccurate information circulating regarding the proposals.
“We want to reassure you that all potential decisions are being considered solely in the best interests of the children and young people we serve.
“There will be no compulsory redundancies, and all staff will be protected at their current salary level as a minimum. In 42 per cent of cases, staff will receive a salary uplift.
“However, we must inform you that the National Education Union (NEU), which some of our staff are members of, has informed us that industrial action relating to this consultation process is currently due to take place.
“Year 11 and Year 13 examinations will not be disrupted and will be prioritised.
“For all other cohorts, we will confirm on June 1, what specific arrangements will be in place, should there be any disruption.
“In the meantime, the Trust will continue to communicate with the NEU in the hope that industrial action can be avoided and will provide updates as soon as possible.”