Teachers at Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucestershire are set to extend their strike action with nine more days planned, following an initial week of industrial action. The strike stems from ongoing concerns that the school is not a safe environment for both educators and students.
The action involves members of two major teaching unions: the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) and the National Education Union (NEU). The disruption has resulted in the closure of the school to most pupils during strike days.
Strike action began on February 4 and 5, followed by planned strikes on February 10 to 12. Now, NASUWT representatives have announced a further nine days of planned strikes beyond this period, intensifying the dispute.
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NASUWT highlights that the vast majority of teachers at Tewkesbury Academy—part of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF)—have joined the strike. Union members cite repeated incidents of verbal abuse, threats of violence, and disruptive behavior from a small group of students, some of whom are reportedly absent from the school while affecting lessons they do not attend.
In response, the Academy issued a letter to parents acknowledging the strike and outlining the school’s behavior policy, which is publicly available and enforced across all year groups. The letter emphasized ongoing dialogue between school leaders and unions, noting “significant progress” but also acknowledging challenges in lesson scheduling and disruption.
The Academy affirmed its commitment to maintaining an inclusive environment and stated it would continue engaging constructively with union representatives to resolve the disputes as swiftly as possible.
Despite this, the NASUWT criticized the school’s communication, describing it as “dismissive and arrogant.” Teachers expressed frustration at what they see as inadequate leadership and management, emphasizing that their strike is motivated by concerns for the safety and educational environment of all students, not personal grievances.
Efforts to obtain further comments from Tewkesbury Academy regarding the extended strike action were declined at this time.