The ballot concerns excessive and unhealthy levels of workload, an unfair and punitive pay progression system, and the unfair treatment of Caribbean and other overseas trained teachers.
Members’ terms and conditions in Harris-run schools and colleges are clearly having an impact on teacher retention. At the end of Summar Term 2023, a quarter of teachers (27%) in Harris schools left. This is far higher than in local authority maintained schools where only one in seven (15%) teachers left their school. Teacher retention at Harris schools has been in the bottom 10% of multi-academy trusts for 9 out of the last 10 years.
The strength of feeling amongst staff is so great that our indicative ballot that has led to this formal ballot had an 80% turnout with a 92% yes vote for strike action.
The question on the formal ballot paper reads: “Are you prepared to take part in sustained and discontinuous strike action in furtherance of this dispute?”
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Our members care deeply about education and its role in transforming pupils’ lives. But for many working in Harris schools the work is no longer sustainable, with over a quarter of Harris teachers leaving last year.
“All employers make choices about where and how they spend their money. Harris has the highest paid executives in the country. CEO Dan Moynihan is the highest paid education employee in England, receiving between £560-570K annually (total package), nearly £200,000 better paid than any other academy CEO.
“Harris needs to address the working conditions of our members and spend more money on the things our pupils really need – excellent teachers, and excellent support staff. Harris schools, colleges, parents, children and young people all deserve better.”
Editor’s Note
The formal ballot is being conducted at the following schools and sixth form colleges:
Harris Academy Battersea
Harris Academy Beulah Hill
Harris Academy Chobham
Harris Academy Clapham
Harris Academy Greenwich
Harris Academy Merton
Harris Academy Morden
Harris Academy Orpington
Harris Academy Peckham
Harris Academy Rainham
Harris Academy St John's Wood
Harris Academy Wimbledon
Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
Harris Clapham Sixth Form
Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich
Harris Invictus Academy Croydon
Harris Westminster Sixth Form