Teachers at Boston school strike for a safe working environment

Members of NASUWT-The Teachers' Union at Haven High Academy in Boston are due to begin the first of six days of strike action on Wednesday over adverse management practices, including the failure of the employer to put in place adequate measures to deal with poor pupil behaviour.

Teachers at the school feel they are being left vulnerable to abuse and violence from pupils due to a lack of consistent sanctions for students and support from management to manage pupil behaviour.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
"Teachers cannot teach and pupils cannot learn without a calm, safe and focused environment within schools. Creating such a culture starts from the top and the management at Haven High are currently failing in this responsibility to both staff and students.

"Teachers should not have to resort to strike action in order to secure their right to work in safety and to be protected by their employer. We once again urge management to recognise the need to work with us on this critical issue so that further strike action can be avoided."
Anne Thompson, NASUWT National Executive Member for Lincolnshire, said:
"We have made every effort to work with the employer, but the views and concerns of staff have not been satisfactorily addressed.

"No teacher should go to work expecting to be verbally or physically abused and we will continue to take action to protect the rights of our members to a safe working environment where the learning and progress of pupils can be prioritised."