More staff join strike action at Barnsley school

Strike at St Helen's school, Barnsley, 10.4.18, photo by  A Tice

Strike at St Helen’s school, Barnsley, 10.4.18, photo by A Tice   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

More staff join strike action at Barnsley school

Striking teachers and support staff, together with parents at St Helens primary in Barnsley, chanted: “What do we want? A happy school!”

Not a lot to ask you’d think. But not under the bullying and “oppressive management” of Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) that parents say has been failing the school and children for the last six years.

National Education Union members took strike action on 22 March, closing the school for the day. With no progress in addressing the union’s grievances, returning after the Easter holidays NEU members are taking another two days strike action (April 10-11). Five more staff have joined NEU and the strike since Easter.

Strike at St Helens school, Barnsley, 10.4.18, photo by A Tice

Strike at St Helens school, Barnsley, 10.4.18, photo by A Tice   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Barnsley NEU divisional secretary Nicola Fitzpatrick kept spirits high on the rain-soaked picket line by reading out dozens of messages of support from branches around the country.

  • Messages of support should be sent to Barnsley NEU Divisional Secretary, Nicola Fitzpatrick at: [email protected]
Alistair Tice