Issue - meetings

To update the Committee on the impact of recent strike action by teachers in Bracknell Forest.

The Committee received a report providing an overview of the industrial action by teachers that took place on 30 June 2011.

It was reported that across the Borough’s schools 257 teachers had participated in industrial action, 15 Schools had closed, 5 schools had partially opened and 19 schools had remained open. 

The Committee was informed that there continued to be disquiet amongst the teaching profession towards the Government’s proposed changes and although it was not yet clear what form it might take it was considered likely that there would be further industrial action later in the year.  It was also considered likely that trade unions that had not previously taken industrial action would participate in any future action.

It was clarified that despite being listed twice, once as remaining open and once as having closed due to industrial action, St Michael’s CE Aided Primary School in Sandhurst had in fact closed.  It was also noted that although Annex A  showed St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School as having closed teachers had decided not to take industrial action and the School had remained open. 

During the run up to the strikes on 30 June 2011, a number of  extremely positive discussions between officers and Trade Union representatives had taken place over the impacts that any strike action might have for schools. It was hoped that these positive relationships would continue in the future.

The Committee praised the quality of the information made available to the public about the strike action and any implications and congratulated all the staff involved in this area of work.

The Committee noted the report.