Tewkesbury Academy Teachers Strike Over Disruptive Pupil Behaviour and Safety Concerns

Teachers at Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucestershire have launched a series of strikes, citing ongoing concerns about disruptive student behaviour and a lack of effective action from school leadership. Members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) and the National Education Union (NEU) are participating in the strike, which will close the school to most pupils during planned strike days.

The strike action began on Wednesday, February 4, with additional days scheduled on February 5 and between February 10-12. According to NASUWT, a vast majority of the teaching staff are involved, motivated by safety concerns due to threats of violence, verbal abuse, and derogatory language from a small group of pupils. These students have also been disrupting lessons they are not assigned to and frequently absenting themselves from classes, further impacting the learning environment.

In a letter to parents, Tewkesbury Academy announced that most students in years 7 to 10 will stay home on strike days, while continuing to support exam-year students and vulnerable pupils with additional needs on-site.

Wendy Exton, NASUWT National Executive Member for Gloucestershire, emphasized the importance of a strong behaviour management system: “Staff want to teach and give their best to their students, but the continual disruption is preventing them from doing so. We have given management numerous opportunities to implement a robust behaviour system, but they have failed to act. No school can operate effectively without consistent behaviour management led by school leaders.”

Exton added that the strike is a last resort aimed at securing necessary working conditions and that the responsibility for disruption caused by the strike rests with the school’s management.

In response, Tewkesbury Academy expressed surprise and sadness over the strike decision, highlighting “significant progress” in recent discussions. A school spokesperson stated: “Some staff have chosen to participate in strikes due to concerns about managing the behaviour of a small minority of students and efforts to raise standards for all pupils. Despite the unions’ decision to strike, we remain committed to negotiating in good faith to minimize disruption and provide a quality education for every child in our community.”