Teachers strike again over academy scheme

More than 30 teachers picketed the gates of a Black Country school today in a strike over it becoming an academy.

The Kingswinford School remained shut as over 40 members of staff went on strike for the second time in a month.

And children will have another day off through industrial action on Wednesday in a national strike over public sector pensions. Placards waved at the gates today read "No academies – defend state education" and "£millions of public money – to whom would a Kingswinford academy be accountable?".

Anne Brimacombe, national executive member of the National Association of School Masters and Union of Women Teachers, claimed the governors had not consulted properly with staff or parents over the academy plans.

The unions have handed letters to parents saying: "Becoming an academy is risky. The school believes it can make a short term financial gain but it will be left with long term risks.

"As an academy, the school could be taken over in the future. Many people in the community, including teachers and parents, want to keep The Kingswinford School as part of the Dudley family of schools, rather than see it go it alone."

One teacher at the school, who did not wish to be identified, said: "An academy would have much more power but much less accountability.

"We are concerned about the way the decision has been made and what that might say about the way decisions are made in the future."

Martin Snell, aged 63, of Cot Lane, Kingswinford, who is a supply teacher but not employed by The Kingswinford School, said: "The community have paid for this provision and taxpayers will continue to do so but it will be run as a private school."

Janice Daines, chair of governors at the school, said: " We have consulted at great length with staff, unions and other stakeholders on proposals to become an academy, which will now take place from January 1."