Strikes paused as Ipswich school tackles behaviour issues

Teachers who have been on strike over poor pupil behaviour have postponed future action after the school said it was introducing a new staff member to tackle the issue.

Some teachers at Westbourne Academy in Ipswich have walked out in protest at children's behaviour after they said chairs and scissors had been thrown at them.

Academy Transformation Trust (ATT), which runs the school, has hired a new vice principal for behaviour and pastoral care who will start after next week's half-term break.

Darren Smith, senior regional officer for the National Education Union (NEU), said the teachers were "going to see how that goes" and had postponed action.

Mr Smith said the NEU and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) had been in discussions.

"We've decided to proceed with [Wednesday and Thursday], but we will postpone strike action that had been planned for after half term in order to see those steps that are being put in place," he said.

"We're going to see how that goes. We wouldn't be postponing action if we didn't think this needed to be given a try at least."

Mr Smith added he was looking forward to seeing if changes made by the trust could be sustained.

The ATT had previously acknowledged there was a "small but significant minority whose behaviour does not meet our high expectations".

Sophie Walker is a science teacher and NEU representative on strike at the school.

She graduated and became a teacher 10 years ago and while initially excited for her future, admitted she had considered quitting both the school and teaching altogether.

"[The trust] seems fairly confident that we're going to make this work," she said of the changes being implemented.

"Staff are very much on board and, as we do with everything, we'll give it our best shot to make this work. Only time will tell."

"We are implementing a revised behaviour system developed with staff and currently being shared with pupils and parents for feedback," an ATT spokesperson said.

"We are also replacing the house system with a new year group-based pastoral structure, increasing capacity to provide direct and focused support."

The trust said the new vice principal had a "strong reputation for improving culture and behaviour from the other schools within which he has worked".

They added they were "pleased" the unions had paused strike action which the trust felt would give its "new approaches time to embed and make a difference".

"We believe these changes will help restore the calm, safe learning environment that our students and staff deserve," they added.

The school has also advertised for a seclusion manager to start as soon as possible.

The role would entail leading and developing the school's internal provision "by providing high-quality support for students who would have otherwise received suspensions", according to the job description.

A Department for Education spokesperson said it was "committed to turning the tide on poor behaviour" and that new regional improvement teams would work with schools to improve standards.