Salford school teachers take strike action over “dangerous pupil behaviour”

Teachers at a Salford primary school took strike action this week claiming that some pupils who are violent and abusive are not being managed safely.

Teaching union members at Moorside Primary School, Swinton, went on strike yesterday (Tuesday 8 July), due to the claimed failure to deal with a number of concerns.

Eight more one-day strikes are planned by The NASWUT – The Teacher Union .

The union says the school has failed to deal with repeated assaults by pupils on staff and has failed to ensure consistent behaviour management.

It also accuses the school of failing to deal with a number of concerns related to health and safety, pay practices, safeguarding, adverse management practices and dangerous pupil behaviour.

The union statement also said: “Pupils with special needs and disabilities are not receiving their entitlements, with staff put under pressure to support pupils without the necessary resources to do so adequately and safely.”

Jac Casson, NASUWT National Executive Member for Greater Manchester, said: “Pupils as well as staff are currently being put at risk and let down. We do not believe this can be allowed to continue.

“The safety of staff and that of the pupils they teach cannot be ignored and action delayed.”

Matt Wrack, NASUWT Acting General Secretary, said: “Staff have experienced a chaotic and unsafe working environment since the start of this academic year at what was a previously stable and happy school.

“Given the seriousness of concerns raised by NASUWT teachers, we have sought to involve the local authority and have been working with them to address these matters and ensure that action is taken.”

A Salford City Council spokesperson said that the council was seeking a resolution.

The spokesperson said: “Teams from across the council are continuing to work closely with colleagues from the NASUWT union, the school leadership team, and Governors as we look to address the concerns that have been raised and also seek a resolution to the strike action.

“Our focus is on the needs of the children, and our priority remains on ensuring a consistency of learning and we hope to keep disruption to a minimum during this action.”