Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
28
Feb 2023
Picket lines across Harrogate district as teachers' strikes continue
Teachers across the Harrogate district left the classrooms today as part of a series of national strikes organised by the National Education Union.
This morning, picket lines were seen outside schools including Harrogate High and Springwater in Starbeck.
Teachers from Rossett Acre Primary School formed a picket on Pannal Ash Road and received support from several passing motorists.
Year 6 teacher Timothy Marshall told the Stray Ferret the North Yorkshire secretary of the NEU had joined the picket first thing, and all the teachers were going to an official march in Leeds this afternoon.
He said:
A picket line outside Harrogate High School today
Mr Marshall said two non-union teachers had refused to cross the picket line this morning and five members of school support staff had joined the protest in solidarity as well.
He said he and his colleagues were striking not just to protest against a real-terms pay cut of up to 10% in recent years, but also to call for better working conditions and funding for schools.
Asked whether the strike action was justified when it resulted in more disruption for children's education, he said:
Rossett Acre Primary School is part of the Red Kite Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust with 13 member schools across North and West Yorkshire.
Its chief executive, Richard Sheriff, said many schools were taking steps to cut their fuel consumption and reduce bills, which he viewed as a sensible move amid a cost-of-living crisis. He said:
As a former president of the Association of School and College Leaders, he said he worked closely with unions to ensure conditions and benefits for staff were the best they could be.
However, he said, issues of funding for education were for the treasury and department for education. He added, as leader of RKLT, he was doing all he could to push the government for "fair and better funding for schools and our young people".
Read more:
- Harrogate hospital nurses to strike again next month
- Meet the man aiming to restore pride and ambition at Rossett School
0