Teachers Strike at Tewkesbury Academy Over Abuse

0:00On March 5th, teachers at TechSperia Academy near Gloucester are walking out today and tomorrow. They're protesting what they call, racist and misogynistic abuse from groups of male students, including threats and derogatory language. This comes after a teacher was stabbed by a 15-year-old pupil with a 6-inch knife back on July 10, 2023, which led to a 4-hour lockdown. The National Education Union and National Association of School Masters, Union of Women Teachers, are behind the action. Staff say they feel really scared, with the school's behavior issues spinning out of control. Last month, teachers struck again after accusing the head teacher of bullying them during negotiations. Many points to staff shortages and inconsistent discipline as root causes. A vocal minority of students seems to get away with disruptions, hurting everyone else's learning. One pupil even reported hearing Nazi jokes and seeing female teachers targeted by gangs of boys.

1:00School leaders say they've offered to meet all demands, but the unions are pushing ahead. Parents mostly back the teachers, saying the problems are too big to ignore, even if it disrupts classes. The Academy is setting remote work for most kids, keeping year 8 in today and year 11 tomorrow, plus support for vulnerable students. More strikes are set for March 11, 12, and 13th, leaving families hoping for a quick fix to restore safety and trust at the school. More strikes are set for March 11, 12, and 13th, leaving families hoping for a quick fix to restore safety and trust at the school.