Yesterday I met with the Headteacher and Chair of the Board of Governors at Wombourne High School to see their new teaching block, which opened before Christmas, and to discuss a range of issues.
Inevitably those issues included ongoing industrial action by teachers at the school.
I am pleased that school has been able to ensure that pupils in years 11, 12 and 13 will continue to have their usual lessons even during next week’s strikes.
However, I know how worried many parents are about the impact that strikes have already had on their children’s education. As promised, I raised those concerns with the school.
While nothing will fully undo the damage caused by the cancelled lessons last term - and those that will be lost due to any further strikes over the next few months - the Head is working on plans to help pupils to catch up on lost lessons after the strikes.
I have also written to the Trust to reinforce this point, urging them to make sure that there is a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to minimise harm caused by this industrial action, while working to avoid further strikes.
There will be further talks between the school, the Trust and the Unions on Monday to try to resolve the remaining issue that prevented Wombourne teachers from voting to end the strikes last week. I know that both sides want to see a resolution, and I hope that they will truly go the extra mile to reach an agreement so that this damaging industrial action can end.
