Tewkesbury Academy Teachers Announce Nine Additional Strike Days Citing Unsafe Conditions

Teachers at Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucestershire have announced plans for an additional nine days of strike action following initial walkouts this week. The strikes, organized by members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) and the National Education Union (NEU), stem from growing concerns over what staff describe as an unsafe environment for both students and employees.

The industrial action began with two strike days on February 4 and 5, followed by a planned three-day strike from February 10 to 12. Now, NASUWT has confirmed a further nine days will follow, signaling escalating tensions between the unions and the school administration.

According to NASUWT, a vast majority of the teaching staff at the academy—which is part of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF)—are participating in the strikes. Teachers report experiencing verbal abuse, threats of violence, and disruptive behavior from a small group of students, which they say also negatively affects the wider learning environment.

In response, the academy sent a letter to parents after the first strike day, acknowledging the disruption but emphasizing the school’s commitment to a clear and fairly implemented behavior policy. The letter recognized the difficulties faced by families due to the strike but voiced optimism about ongoing constructive discussions with union representatives, noting some progress has been made.

The school reiterated that while some staff wish to see changes in behavior management, less than half participated in the initial strikes. They affirmed their commitment to maintaining an inclusive and safe educational setting.

However, NASUWT representatives expressed disappointment and frustration toward the tone of the school’s letter, describing it as dismissive and failing to fully acknowledge the severity of the issues raised by staff. They emphasized that the strikes are driven not by self-interest but by concern for the future safety and wellbeing of the majority of students.

Efforts to gain comment from Tewkesbury Academy regarding the upcoming strike days were declined.