Staff at an academy trust are determined to protect working conditions and pupils, reports Pete Webster

Sub-zero temperatures were no hindrance to the teaching assistants who formed an upbeat and lively picket on Thursday morning in a dispute with management over cuts to staff numbers, budget cuts and increased workloads.

Woodfield Special School, in Brent, provides critical support for around 200 secondary pupils (eleven to nineteen-year-olds) with a wide range of Send requirements and relies heavily on the support given by the dedicated teaching assistants. They play a key role in giving personal support to pupils with a wide range of learning difficulties, including autism and severe learning difficulties.

The strikers are all members of the NEU. Site rep, Anchalee, said that she hoped management would see sense in the face of the solid support for the action, but recognised that it would probably be necessary to embark on further strikes if there was no movement. Two further strikes are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday next week (25 and 26 November) and with a live mandate for escalation if required.

The picket was well supported by passing traffic, and the strikers were also addressed by reps from Brent Trades Council and Harrow NEU.

The school is managed by the Compass Learning Multi Academy Trust. This is the same private-profit outfit that provoked an unnecessary strike at The Village School (also in Brent) earlier this year. That resulted in a resounding victory for the union members following three days of strikes that forced the management to back down. 

If the Woodfield bosses fail to address the workers’ concerns, then replicating the determination shown previously is key to winning the dispute.

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