Birmingham School Strikes Enter Fourth Day as Thousands of Pupils Face Disruption

Birmingham School Strikes Enter Fourth Day as Thousands of Pupils Face Disruption

Thousands of pupils across Birmingham are facing a fourth consecutive day of disrupted education as strike action by teachers and support staff continues at schools within the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP). The industrial action, organised by the National Education Union (NEU), has led to widespread school closures and limited openings across the multi-academy trust.

Ongoing Dispute Over Planned Job Cuts

The strike action centres on plans by the ATLP to cut more than 100 staff positions across its schools due to significant financial difficulties. Union representatives have expressed serious concerns that these proposed cuts to pupil-facing roles would severely damage educational standards, lead to larger class sizes, and negatively impact support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Chris Denson, National Executive member of the NEU, stated: "The ATLP need to drastically rethink its plans. Cutting pupil-facing roles will always damage education, wherever it happens. The massive central spend and central structure need to be cut, not support for students and their teachers and support staff jobs."

School Closures and Limited Openings

The strike action has resulted in varying levels of disruption across the trust's 24 schools:

• Four primary schools have been completely closed: Hill West Primary and Mere Green Primary in Sutton Coldfield, St Michael's C of E Primary in Lichfield, and Curdworth Primary
• Sixteen schools are operating with limited openings for vulnerable pupils and those in examination years
• Six secondary schools are affected: The Arthur Terry School and The Royal Sutton School in Sutton Coldfield, Stockland Green School in Erdington, Nether Stowe School in Lichfield, The Coleshill School, and West Coventry Academy
• Ten primary schools are operating with restrictions: Deykin Avenue Junior and Infant, Osborne Primary, Paget Primary and Slade Primary in Erdington, St Chad's CE Primary, Scotch Orchard Primary and Anna Seward Primary in Lichfield, and Coton Green Primary, William MacGregor Primary School and Two Gates Primary School in Tamworth
• Four schools remain unaffected: The Bridge Academy in Lichfield, Greysbrooke Primary School in Shenstone, Brookvale Primary School in Erdington, and Dunstall Park Primary in Tamworth

Constructive Talks and Future Action

Despite the ongoing disruption, both parties have reported constructive discussions this week. A joint statement issued by ATLP and the NEU confirmed that further meetings have been scheduled to work towards a resolution.

The statement read: "The Trust and NEU have held constructive discussions this week and have agreed to continue engaging with an open and meaningful dialogue. Both parties are clear this dispute must be resolved and are reflecting on the matters discussed. Further meetings have been scheduled as part of an ongoing process to explore next steps and work towards a resolution, in the best interests of staff, pupils and their families."

Trust's Financial Challenges

The ATLP has acknowledged facing significant financial challenges and stated it is exploring every area of expenditure to make necessary savings. The trust has begun consultation on restructuring the organisation, which would involve substantial job cuts, in an effort to achieve financial sustainability.

A spokesperson for the trust commented: "We are committed to tackling the financial challenges we face so that we bring stability to the trust and schools as quickly as possible, while at the same time maintaining the high standards of education and care that our pupils and their families deserve and expect."

The trust has arranged high-quality remote learning for pupils unable to attend school and has appointed a new interim finance director to oversee financial decisions.

Further Strike Action Planned

Another strike day is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, with four additional days planned for the following week, excluding Friday, January 30. The NEU is also organising a rally in Birmingham's Victoria Square from 10.30am on Thursday.

Parents and guardians across the affected areas continue to express concern about the ongoing disruption to their children's education, with many calling for a swift resolution to the dispute.