Strike threat as school hires ‘expensive’ executive head while support staff face axe

Six days of strike action have been planned this month at Lyon Park Primary School, in Wembley, to save the jobs and pay of teaching assistants and qualified nursery nurses.

The National Education Union (NEU) claims support staff face either their jobs being axed or a “fire and rehire” situation to cut pay.

Members at the school in Vincent Road were due to strike on Tuesday (November 6) but this was “suspended” at the last minute for negotiations.

Headteacher Tally Bhambra said the school, part of the Wembley Schools Federation, is facing budget difficulties and would “do everything in its power” to prevent the strikes.

The NEU is angry that the school now has an “expensive” executive headteacher, who it claims has not attended any restructure meetings or attempted talks with unions, while teachers and pupils face a loss of classroom support.

Staff have shown willingness to accept voluntary redundancies, the NEU said, but after inviting applications, the school has now said it cannot accept them.

Union chiefs are currently negotiating with governors in a bid to reach an agreement.

Jenny Cooper of the NEU national executive said: “These striking members are the people who were on the Brent frontline in the pandemic; these are key workers, supporting vulnerable families and working daily with children from the Wembley and Alperton communities.

“They undertake difficult jobs every day and have expertise and knowledge that should be valued in our schools.

“If we can afford big sums for executive school leaders, we can afford to retain the pay of our frontline staff, and to fund those that request voluntary redundancy.

“The NEU will not accept fire and rehire and we remain hopeful the school will reach an agreement with us to resolve this dispute, in which case the action could be suspended.”

Mrs Bambra said:  “Like all schools, Lyon Park Primary School has been carefully reviewing its budget in response to a number of factors that have placed pressure on schools’ finances.

“The school must review its current costs and staffing arrangements to ensure it can balance the budget for years to come. The school is currently consulting with affected staff and the unions to agree the best way forward that minimises the impacts on children’s education.”

She said the school had been notified by the NEU of strike action on six days in November.

“We will of course do everything in our power to work with the NEU to prevent strike action and the need to either partially or fully close the school on planned strike days, depending on the number of staff available,” she added.

“We have informed parents and guardians and will keep them regularly updated as soon as we know more. We remain committed to engaging with school staff and unions during this consultation and minimising any disruption caused to pupils and families at this time.”