Teachers at Westhoughton High School in Bolton have voted for industrial action over changes brought in by a new academy trust. The Northern Education Trust (NET) is supporting the running of the school as it prepares to become an academy.
Background to the trust’s involvement
The NET was brought in by the government as part of a sponsored academy order, a move triggered when a school is underperforming, and is expected to take over at a later date. It came after an Ofsted inspection earlier this year deemed the school to require significant improvement, with 'urgent improvement' needed to tackle poor attendance and behaviour.
NET has written several letters to parents outlining its involvement, explaining that Ryan Baxter has been seconded from Kearsley Academy to serve as principal, stressing that he 'brings a strong track record of raising standards and improving GCSE outcomes during his time' there. Andrew Newton is the executive principal and will work alongside Mr Baxter throughout the year. Last month, families were invited to meet trust representatives at an after-school meeting.
Staff concerns and vote
Staff are unhappy with the way things have changed, and National Education Union (NEU) members have voted for industrial action, saying consultation from NET has been inadequate and claiming there has been a lack of support from Bolton Council. It is not yet clear when the industrial action will happen or what form it will take, so parents are waiting to hear whether there will be any disruption to lessons.
A spokesperson for NET said: "Following an Academy Order issued by the Secretary of State for Education, Northern Education Trust (NET) has been named as the sponsor for Westhoughton High School. Although the school currently remains under local authority control, NET was asked to provide support following the headteacher’s departure and ahead of its conversion to academy status."
The spokesperson added: "NET is working closely with the Department for Education, the local authority, and the governing body to ensure absolute stability during this transition. Our focus throughout remains firm: supporting staff and parents, minimising disruption, and ensuring every student is given the best possible chance to succeed."
Council response and Ofsted findings
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: "The academisation of Westhoughton High School was a decision taken by the Department for Education, and is outside the council’s control. The council has been working closely with the school, the governing body and with Northern Education Trust during this transitional period."
January's Ofsted report found the school to be at the 'expected standard' in just one out of six areas, after it deemed that safeguarding standards were met. In terms of attendance and behaviour, inspectors found that 'attendance rates are too low and too many pupils are late to school or lessons'.
The report said: "A high proportion of pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are persistently or severely absent. This means that too many pupils miss substantial amounts of learning and fall further behind in their education."
