Some pupils at St Margaret's Church of England Academy in Aigburth have been told not to come into school on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday this week (September 8-10) due to an ongoing industrial dispute. Teachers and staff at the school, part of All Saints Multi Academy Trust (ASMAT), walked out on strike this morning.
Strike action over workload and conditions
The National Education Union (NEU) confirmed that teachers voted to take industrial action following a ballot earlier this year, citing concerns about "excessive workload, working conditions and adverse management practices". The union said members had been left with no alternative after repeated attempts to resolve concerns with the Trust.
Teachers already went on strike late last week (Thursday and Friday, September 3 and 4), with staff seen on a picket line outside the school. Approximately 40 teachers and staff at St Margaret's will strike again today, Wednesday, and Thursday.
School attendance schedule confirmed
The ECHO understands that further negotiations took place between school and union officials on Monday (September 7), but no resolution has been reached. The headteacher of St Margaret's sent an email on Friday evening informing parents and carers of the attendance schedule for the week commencing September 7.
The email stated: "Further to our previous correspondence regarding the arrangements during the planned industrial action, I am writing to confirm the dates on which each year group is expected to attend school next week."
Parents and carers were told the school would be open for all year groups on Monday (September 7) and Friday (September 11), and that the Sixth Form will remain open throughout the week for students in Years 12 and 13. The schedule between Tuesday and Thursday was updated as follows:
- Tuesday 8 September: School is open for students in Years 7, 8 and 10.
- Wednesday 9 September: School is open for students in Years 7, 9 and 11.
- Thursday 10 September: School is open for students in Years 7, 8 and 10.
Union and Trust responses
Jenny McLoughlin, regional officer for the NEU, previously said problems with working conditions are affecting both staff wellbeing and students' education, adding: "Our members want every student to have the opportunity to thrive in a safe, well-supported school."
She continued: "That means ensuring staff have the time, support and working conditions they need to deliver the high-quality education every child deserves. We have been trying to resolve these concerns through negotiations with All Saints Academy Trust, but we have been met with broken promises and a lack of meaningful engagement. Industrial action is always a last resort, but our members believe change is needed for the benefit of both staff and students."
Responding to the NEU's statement back in June, a spokesperson from the Trust said: "The National Education Union has informed the Trust that its members at St Margaret’s Church of England Academy intend to take industrial action."
The spokesperson added: "All Saints Multi Academy Trust is focused on ensuring continuity of education for students at the school and maintaining normal operations wherever possible. While we respect the rights of employees to take lawful industrial action, appropriate plans will be put in place should action go ahead to minimise any disruption to the school day. Parents and carers will be informed directly and promptly of any confirmed changes to arrangements."
The ECHO has made repeated attempts to contact the school for comment on the strike and its potential impact.
