Teachers formed a picket line outside a school on Wednesday (May 17) morning as they began a two-day strike.
Avonmore Primary was closed on Wednesday (May 17) and will remain shut on Thursday (May 18) , after a dispute over job losses and related staffing issues lead to the walk-out.
The strike was called by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) following a long-running stand-off with the West Kensington school’s governing body.
The teachers called the strike amid proposals to abolish the Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) and reading recovery posts. In total, three members of staff will be laid off.
Teachers say this will have a detrimental impact on some of the school’s most vulnerable pupils, and explained their actions in a latter, written via the NUT, handed to parents outside the school gate on Friday May 12 evening.
It is thought the cut-backs are being driven by the government’s planned Fair Funding Formula which is set to significantly reduce school budgets.
However, in their letter, the teachers add: “These changes have been based on the rationale of saving money due to government cuts.
“We do not believe that the management of the school have justified these steps.
“We also do not think they have given assurance on the biggest issues concerning the school – the impact on student learning and staff wellbeing.”
Speaking before the walk-out, the local NUT branch said it does not take industrial action lightly, and it “looked forward to further meaningful discussions to resolve these issues”.
The chair of governors Joe Carlebach spoke of his “deep regret”.
“We recognise the significant impact that this action will have on all concerned especially parents who will have to find child care at very short notice and children who will lose out on their education,” he added.
"Our priority has always been and will continue to be the educational outcomes and life chances of our children.
“We hope that a resolution to this dispute can be found soon.”
In March the Hammersmith MP joined pupils protesting at the proposed Fair Funding Formula (see video above).
According to the school’s website, Avonmore has one class of 30 student places for each school year, from Reception through to Year 6, and 25 full-time places for nursery.
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