Birmingham primary school closes due to staff strikes with industrial action planned throughout December

Benson Community School closed its doors on Friday (December 1) as NEU members took part in strike action.

The Hockley primary school is also due to be temporarily closed for a number of days in December as staff members protest against what the union has called 'unacceptable management practices'. The school will also be closed on December 6, 11, 12, 19 and 20 as more strikes take place ahead of Christmas.

The strikes come after an Ofsted inspection of the school in September 2023 judged it to be Inadequate, with leadership and management given the same judgement. The school received a Good Ofsted rating at its inspection four years earlier.

A statement from the NEU, read: "NEU members at Benson Community School will be taking strike action on 1st, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th December in opposition to unacceptable management practices at the school. These include bullying, unreasonable workload expectations, a lack of meaningful consultation on changes and a top-down management approach. Strike action is always a last resort for NEU members, and the decision to strike has been a very difficult one for members to make. However, members feel they have been given no choice but to take strike action. We profoundly regret that strike action has become necessary, and we apologise for the inconvenience this will cause to parents and carers.

"The Union reported the concerns of members to Birmingham City Council last spring and reiterated these to the Council in the summer term. As a result of members alerting us to the fact that the situation at the school had deteriorated further and given the lack of progress towards resolving members’ concerns, our members felt strike action was their only option."

David Room, Birmingham NEU General Secretary, said: "NEU members at Benson Community School are some of the most dedicated and hard-working education professionals you will find anywhere. It is because of their commitment to the pupils they serve, as well as their expertise as educators, that the school has done so well in the recent past. We ask that parents and carers trust their judgement on this matter and stand with them at this difficult time."

In response, a spokesman for Birmingham City Council, said: "Birmingham City Council takes all concerns raised regarding bullying with the utmost seriousness. Issues reported by the National Education Union on behalf of its members at Benson Primary School have been listened to and next steps agreed. These conversations have been productive however, the union has continued to take strike action.

"We are deeply disappointed with this outcome and the impact that this will have on the children’s education. Council officers are in regular contact with the school and have offered to have further meetings with members of staff and the leadership of the school to work towards resolution.

"The council continues to provide advice and support to the school and will continue to engage in discussions with the Trade Union."