Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union are starting the first of six planned days of strike action tomorrow (Thursday) at three middle schools in Northumberland where approximately 50 to 60 teachers are at threat of losing their jobs over reorganisation plans.

From the outset, Northumberland County Council committed to protect staff from Job losses, but they have so far failed to honour this pledge.

Northumberland County Council plans to close Glendale, Tweedmouth and Berwick Middle Schools as part of a move to a primary and secondary school system.

Currently, the Council is refusing to consider either redeployment or voluntary redundancy schemes for affected teachers.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“Imposing compulsory redundancies on teachers would represent a huge loss of expertise, experience and talent for current and future cohorts of pupils in the area.

“We believe the Council owes it to staff and pupils to pursue other options such as redeployment so that as many jobs can be saved as possible.

“We have sought at every stage of this process to work with the Council, but due to a lack of progress our members have been left with no option than to move to strike action.

“The Council must now listen and work with us on a plan to avoid the compulsory loss of these skilled and dedicated teachers from their local community.”

John Hall, NASUWT National Executive Member for Northumberland, said:

“Teachers at all three schools have been left in limbo, not knowing what the future holds for them and their careers.

“This reorganisation should be an opportunity to strengthen education provision locally, not undermine it by losing dozens of experienced teachers.”