Staff at this special needs school are resolved to stand firm against unfair treatment, finds Pete Webster

Striking teaching assistants in the NEU took their dispute to the doorstep of Harrow Council in London on Friday morning. They marked the tenth day of strike action since last year. Following a one-day strike earlier this week, they remain determined to win their fight.

At the core of the dispute is the significant negative variance in pay rates for Woodlands’ teaching assistants, compared to their colleagues doing the same work in surrounding Harrow schools. They are merely asking to have the same terms and conditions as others. 

Teaching assistant (TA) salary in the UK in 2026 typically falls between £12.50 and £16.50 per hour, depending on role level, experience, location, and employer. When converted to full-time equivalent (FTE), this equates to roughly £23,000 to £29,000 per year, before adjustments for term-time working. Most TAs earn significantly less. Many work only two or three days a week, as the majority are women who often have their own disproportionate domestic care duties and burdens.

An uplift of the basic rate for parity with other TAs is something well worth fighting for.

Addressing the strikers, Ed Harlow, NEU National President, said, “You have half a million members behind you. So you are on the frontline today – because we have problems in education all across the country, particularly in SEN [Special Educational Needs], but this dispute comes down to one thing – fairness.” and “You’re not even being paid the national scale because you are being ripped off by the people at the top! It’s time that we, as a profession, as a sector, stand up and say enough is enough.”

A support staff member added, “What we want is what we deserve. What everybody else gets in every other special needs school within the entire area. We want what we deserve!”

School rep, Jonny, stressed the importance of standing firm together, saying, “We know we are very strong as a unit together. Don’t let the Council’s strategies take away your voices. We can do this, guys, come on!”

With no sign of movement from either the school management or council to enter into talks, it is critical that strikers remain solidly united, as this is the only way to guarantee a win.

Woodlands school staff will again be on the picket on 10, 12, 24 and 27 February. Send messages of solidarity to: [email protected]