Leaways School education workers strike over pay and conditions

Education workers at an independent special school in Clapton went on strike today over pay and conditions.

National Education Union (NEU) members called on independent provider Kedleston Group, which runs the school, to increase sick pay based on national scales.

Leaways workers, who currently receive only seven days’ pay, are also asking for a rise equal to the 2.75 per cent received by teachers this year, instead of the one per cent offered.

Workers were pictured outside Leaways with signs reading ‘Pupils not profits’ and ‘Education not oppression’, with further strikes understood to be planned for the coming weeks.

Hackney NEU branch officer Jamie Duff said: “Education workers at Leaways do the same work as those in the vast majority of schools in the country and deserve the same basic conditions. Kedleston Group had a turnover of over £32 million last year according to the Companies House register.

“We feel they should be able to match the pay and conditions of education workers in the maintained sector.

“No education worker wants take action that results in a school being closed especially at this time, however, despite some progress in our negotiations with management we still have not been able to resolve the substantial issues.”

The union is also calling on Kedleston to recognise students’ specific needs through adequate staffing in order that specialist input laid out in pupils’ education, health and care plans (EHCPs) can be provided at the school, which caters for children with autism and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

A spokesperson for Kedleston said: “We are committed to doing all we can to support the well-being and education of the children who attend our school.

“We are disappointed that, after several weeks of positive engagement to resolve employment matters raised by some staff, a number of colleagues have voted to take industrial action on dates throughout December.

“Leaways is a small independent school and provides highly specialist support for vulnerable children. This action may therefore have an impact on the curriculum we are able to provide on those days. Year 11 students will continue to be taught in school, and we are working hard to minimise any effect on pupils from the remaining year groups.

“Since staff brought their concerns to our attention, we have worked hard – in partnership with them and their union – to successfully address many of those issues. We have additionally committed to resolve any outstanding matters. To try to resolve these as speedily as possible, we have also invited staff to engage with us via ACAS. As of yet, that offer has not been taken up by them. We will of course continue to work with our colleagues to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.

“Should the further proposed dates for action go ahead, we will contact families and other relevant parties directly with further information.”