Teachers Strike Over 'Violent and Abusive' Pupils in Rochdale and Manchester Schools
Teachers at two schools in Greater Manchester have taken strike action over what they describe as 'untenable levels' of violence and abuse from pupils. Staff at St Cuthbert's RC High School in Rochdale and Lily Lane Primary School in Manchester walked out on February 24, with further strikes planned through March and early April.
Shocking Incidents of Violence Reported
Teachers have reported numerous violent incidents, creating what they call an unsafe environment for both staff and students. Drama teacher Louise Maloney from St Cuthbert's told the BBC that violence had reached 'unprecedented' levels, with staff experiencing 'extremely volatile' behaviour from pupils.
'I had been locked in the room by students,' Ms Maloney revealed, adding that other staff members have been 'elbowed in the chest, kicked' and had 'chairs and tables thrown at them.' She described how 'anything outside your own classroom where you're not in control is extremely volatile and staff and students are worried about stepping into communal spaces at any time.'
Physical Injuries and Staff Departures
PE teacher Dom Ayres said the school is 'not safe for pupils or staff,' claiming teachers have been injured when trying to break up fights between pupils. Mr Ayres alleged he was 'bundled to ground' by students three weeks ago, resulting in an injury to his lower back.
He described the violence as 'shocking' and said it had created an environment that is 'not nice' to work in, resulting in some staff leaving to 'reduce stress levels.'
Primary School Also Affected
At Lily Lane Primary School, which also has a nursery, similar issues have been reported. A teacher told the BBC they have been 'hurt numerous times' but claimed 'no one has ever checked in on' her. Another teacher said her students are 'frightened' to leave the classroom due to the ongoing issues.
Jac Casson from the NASUWT teachers' union said violence at the primary school was being seen across all age groups - from nursery age up to year six. She described 'anything and everything' from punching, kicking, pinching, spitting and biting, to throwing things, trashing classrooms and running out of lessons.
Impact on Well-Behaved Students
Ms Casson expressed concern that well-behaved students are being 'traumatised' by the behaviour of their peers, leaving them 'frightened' to attend school and 'hiding' behind teachers and support staff.
Extended Strike Action Planned
The strike action at both schools began on February 24 and was initially planned to end on March 1 at the high school. However, the union has announced further action on March 17-19, March 24-26, and March 31 through April. Strikes at the primary school are expected to continue until March 19.
Trust Responses
The Changing Lives in Collaboration (CLiC) Trust that runs Lily Lane Primary School stated: 'Only together can all parties deliver what is right and in the best interests of the school. The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff is of the very highest priority to us.'
The St Teresa of Calcutta Academy Trust, which runs St Cuthbert's, said in a statement: 'Leaders have sought to resolve potential concerns around safety whilst also driving improvement. We respect the right of union members to act where they believe it to be necessary though do feel more could have been achieved through dialogue.'
Parental Concerns About Exam Disruption
Parents of Year 11 pupils approaching their GCSE exams have expressed concern about the impact of the strikes on their children's education. Alison Wild, whose daughter is in Year 11 at St Cuthbert's, claimed that students were repeatedly being placed in the school canteen and told to do their own revision.
She described the setup as 'disruptive' and 'not conducive to effective study,' saying she had taken her daughter out of school on strike days so she could 'concentrate on her studies' and planned to pay for a private tutor.
Fellow mother Michelle Kershaw said: 'While I fully appreciate that staff concerns must be taken seriously, the current situation is having a profound impact on pupils who are preparing for their GCSE examinations.'
Union Criticism of Trust Management
Rachel Knight, NASUWT National Executive Member for Greater Manchester, said: 'We have been raising serious concerns with the Trust for 18 months. Strike action was entirely avoidable, had they taken action to address the concerns.'
She added: 'The responsibility for any further disruption to pupils' education rests with the Trust and its failure to implement actions to make the school safe.'
Broader Context of School Violence
This strike action comes amid growing concerns about violence in schools across England. Just days before the Rochdale and Manchester strikes, staff at Tewkesbury Academy near Gloucester walked out following claims they have faced threats of violence, derogatory language and verbal abuse from students.
In 2023, a teacher at Tewkesbury was stabbed by a 15-year-old pupil with a six-inch knife, triggering a huge armed police response and a four-hour lockdown. Staff at that school fear such an incident could happen again if concerns about pupil behaviour are not addressed.
The National Education Union (NEU) representative at Tewkesbury claimed staff members felt 'really scared' and believe the situation at the school has become 'out of control.'
Ongoing Negotiations
Both school trusts have stated they remain committed to negotiations. The St Teresa of Calcutta trust told the Manchester Evening News they 'remain committed to negotiating and working in partnership over the coming days to avert this potential action.'
Headteacher Emma Keenan at St Cuthbert's said: 'I fully understand the disruption this is causing to families and appreciate this is less than ideal.' She added that 'productive and collaborative' talks had taken place with the union.
As the strikes continue, teachers say they are 'heartbroken' over having to take industrial action but feel they have no other choice to ensure school safety for both staff and students.
