Three more days of strike action at Northumberland high school

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) and NASUWT at Haydon Bridge High School have already taken two days of strike action on December 9 and 10 over “disruptive” pupil behaviour and the “failure” of management to act.

Planned strike action in November was paused to allow for further talks with the school and Northumberland County Council.

The unions say staff had hoped to see a “genuine commitment” to addressing the issues raised but that “little progress” had been made.

A negotiation meeting was held on December 10 between council officers and union representatives, despite initial attempts to exclude the NEU workplace representative from the talks. The unions say this was an “important step towards meaningful dialogue”.

However, it has been confirmed that further strike action will go ahead on December 16, 17 and 18 as talks with the council continue. A picket line and protest will be held at the school entrance from 8am on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the NEU said: “Our members remain committed to delivering the best education possible, but urgent steps continue to be needed to resolve these concerns. We call on the employer to engage meaningfully and take decisive action.

“The striking staff will be on the picket line outside of the school on the morning of Tuesday, December 16 from 8am.

“We would be delighted to meet with members of the community and talk to them about the concerns that they have and how they want to see an improvement at Haydon Bridge High School.

“Without good behaviour in and around the school, teaching and learning will suffer.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted both Northumberland County Council and Haydon Bridge High School for comment, but has received no response.