Strike ballot in 18 Harris schools and colleges

The NEU’s formal strike ballot of over 700 members in 18 Harris secondaries and sixth form colleges opens today (Monday) and closes on 28 February.

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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

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