Teachers at two Greater Manchester schools have gone on strike over claims of 'violent and abusive behaviour from some pupils'. Members of the NASUWT union at St Cuthbert's RC High School in Rochdale and Lily Lane Primary School in Manchester walked out over what they described as 'untenable levels' of violence.
Speaking at the picket line, staff from St Cuthbert's reported 'extremely volatile' behaviour from some pupils. Drama teacher Louise Maloney said violence had reached 'unprecedented' levels, claiming she had been locked in a room by students and that colleagues had been elbowed, kicked, and had chairs thrown at them. She said staff and students were worried about stepping into communal spaces.
At Lily Lane Primary School, staff claimed they had been 'repeatedly hurt by children'. One anonymous teacher said they had been 'hurt numerous times, significantly' with no one checking on them. Another teacher said pupils in their class were frightened to leave the classroom. A parent reported an incident involving a knife, where a child picked up a knife from the dinner hall and chased another child.
The St Teresa of Calcutta Academy Trust, which runs St Cuthbert's, said leaders had sought to resolve safety concerns while driving improvement. The Changing Lives in Collaboration (CLiC) Trust, which runs Lily Lane, said the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff was of the highest priority. The NASWUT union has announced further strike dates: 24-26 February, 3-5 March, and 10-12 March.
