Excellent news that the strikes at Wombourne High School and Kinver High School have been suspended ahead of talks to resolve the dispute. This will be a huge relief to the families of children who were due to be affected by strikes scheduled for three days next week.
I’ve met with Invictus Trust this afternoon and am pleased that they and the NEU have worked to secure this pause in the industrial action.
Clearly the priority has to be to make sure that pupils are getting the education that they need and deserve. This is particularly urgent for those sitting important exams this summer. Remote learning is simply not an adequate substitute for classroom learning with a teacher.
It does sound as though both sides are approaching Monday’s meeting in good faith with a real wish to find agreement. I am told that the two sides have come together over eight of the nine issues that had originally been raised by the NEU, and they need to find an agreement on the ninth point on Monday.
