Teachers on strike over 'poor pupil behaviour'

Teachers at a secondary school have striked over poor student behaviour, their union representatives said.

Some teachers at Westbourne Academy in Ipswich refused to work on Tuesday and said they would carry on their action on Wednesday, with further strike days planned for next week.

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) cited "untenable levels of classroom disruption" including pupils refusing to attend lessons and "roaming the school".

A spokesperson for Academy Transformation Trust, which runs the school, said it "recognised the challenges" and was working with union representatives "to understand concerns and to support all colleagues".

The school, which has about 1,000 pupils, said that learning would be moved online for Years 7, 8 and 9 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"A large group of pupils at Westbourne Academy are refusing to attend lessons and instead choose to roam the school, disrupting other lessons and engaging in threatening behaviour towards staff and other pupils," the NASUWT said in a statement.

"Teachers have sought help from school leadership but no plan has worked in practice, with teachers often waiting for most or all of their lessons for urgent assistance," it added.

It said its members at the school "just want to conduct their lessons in safety and peace".

"They feel abandoned by school leaders and desperate for effective support."

Members of the National Education Union have also taken strike action.

The Academy Transformation Trust said: "Following Ofsted's visit in June 2024, which rated Westbourne as a good school overall, we have acted with pace and purpose to respond to their feedback regarding the behaviour of a minority of pupils.

"This includes providing additional staffing and strengthening leadership.

"We are currently planning out a new approach to manage pupil conduct and how pupils are organised within the school, which will start after half term.

"This is all aimed at creating a calmer, more focused environment for learning for all."

It added the school was "committed to achieving lasting improvement while minimising any disruption to pupils".