Stratford Academy strikes suspended as “interim agreement” is made

Teachers’ strikes at Stratford School Academy have been suspended for the moment as talks continue between staff and management.

The dispute has been on and off since October 25 over pay, working conditions, and pensions with governors deducting 15 per cent of teachers’ monthly salaries blaming them for disrupting the students’ education.

The Stratford Academy Concerned Parents, a campaign set up in opposition to governors and management over the dispute, claimed an interim agreement had been made that was a “highly significant victory”.

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) are unable to confirm specific details of the agreement regarding wages and workload because discussions are ongoing.

In a joint statement with Stratford School Academy, a spokesperson for NASUWT said: “Positive talks took place earlier this week facilitated by ACAS, which has resulted in an agreement by the NASUWT and NUT to suspend the scheduled programme of strike action and to reinstate the action short of strike action.

“Following these constructive talks all sides have agreed to a process of further discussions to deal with outstanding issues.”