Teaching staff to strike over use of 'virtual teacher'

Teaching staff at Lancashire school are set to go on strike over a decision that will see some students taught maths by a "virtual teacher" based 300 miles (about 480km) away in Devon.

The National Education Union (NEU) says members have voted to walk out on 3 and 10 December in a dispute over the virtual maths teacher at the Valley Leadership Academy in Bacup.

The school says the initiative is used for three top-set maths classes in years 9 to 11 and was "a targeted response to the national shortage of specialist maths teachers".

It said: "While we are disappointed that strike action is proceeding, we remain committed to working positively with our NEU colleagues to resolve this matter."

Four more days of action will follow unless Star Academies, which runs the school, "commits to the basic right of every child to be taught by a qualified teacher who is in the same room as them," the NEU said.

A spokesperson for the academy, said: "Our priority is, and always will be, to ensure pupils receive the highest quality teaching.

"No pupil should be disadvantaged because they live in an area where recruitment is difficult.

"This approach is a win-win. Pupils benefit from an outstanding specialist teacher delivering lessons online, while a second adult - such as a higher level teaching assistant, teacher apprentice, or developing teacher - supports learning in the classroom.

"The school will remain open, and pupils' education will not be disrupted."