Teachers go on strike in bid to save their school

May 7 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

UP to 40 teachers are striking today in protest against plans to close their school. Staff, governors, students, parents and local residents have come out against plans by Durham County Council to close Belmont School on the outskirts of Durham City and merge with Gilesgate Sports College to form a new academy on an unspecified site.

The county council agreed last month to build new academies in Durham, Consett and Stanley despite local opposition.

And yesterday Simon Kennedy, regional officer for the National Association of Schoolmasters/ Union of Women Teachers NAS/UWT, whose members are on picket duty outside Belmont School today, said he could not rule out further industrial action in Consett and Stanley.

Mr Kennedy said a “large majority” of staff at Belmont were members of his union.

He added: “They are taking this action to save Belmont School. It is not about pay or conditions, it is about preserving an excellent school.

“Our members are public servants who are proud to work for the county council, not for a private organisation.”

Mr Kennedy added that his members would cross the picket line to teach Year 11 students who were preparing for their GCSE exams.

“We do not want to affect the chances of students taking exams. Our members will go into school from the picket line to teach any lessons involving Year 11 students, and then rejoin the picket line at the end of their lesson,” he said.