Parents of children at Wanstead High who have been frustrated by the start of what could be a long series of strikes by teachers have taken matters into their own hands in attempting to get things back to normal.
A group of more than 200 parents has been lobbying for a return to normal schooling, holding meetings with Leyton and Wanstead’s new MP, Calvin Bailey, and with representatives of the National Education Union which is staging the action.
Though not taking sides in the dispute, the group has been dissecting the union’s stated claims, which involve workload, hours and new initiatives from the head. The group appears to be reaching a consensus that whatever the validity of the unions demands, prolonged industrial action is a disproportionate response.
Though not actually a party to the dispute, some of the parents believe they are helping to impress upon the parties the importance of reaching a resolution, not least because of the impact on children whose education has already been disrupted by lockdowns.
The school was closed for two days because of strikes this week, with more days’ action planned for next week and the week after. Only pupils with GCSEs and A Levels this year have been attending.
Can you support our children by signing this petition to help to bring an end to this dispute and the strikes ?
https://chng.it/nW6C9VTTSs
Thank you!