Teachers at Fortismere and Highgate Wood have walked out this week in a dispute over classroom sizes and workloads

Sara Hall holding a placard in support of ending the school strikes at Fortismere.(credit: Sara Hall) — Mum Sara Hall holding a placard in support of ending the school strikes at Fortismere (credit Sara Hall)

Parents of pupils who have missed several days of school during this week’s strikes have criticised headteachers for “failing to negotiate” with their union members.

From originally five Haringey secondary schools that were affected by potential strike action this week, only Fortismere and Highgate Wood have been closing their doors, with Gladesmore Community School calling off two of their strike days due to last-minute progress in the negotiations.

A group of mums of children attending Fortismere Secondary School in Muswell Hill have criticised its leadership team for “depriving pupils of six days of vital learning” after failing to negotiate a deal with its unionised staff, members of the National Education Union (NEU).

The strike is due to end tomorrow (Friday 14th), having started a week ago.

The concerned Fortismere mothers joined their children’s teachers on the picket line at Fortismere this morning (Thursday 13th) to show support for the teaching staff and offer their help to resolve the industrial dispute to avoid further strikes.

Contentious issues between the union and the headteachers include increasing class sizes from 27 to 30 pupils and decreasing teacher’s non-contact time, the time when teachers are not teaching in the classroom but carry out other essential work such as marking and lesson planning.

Sara Hall, a mother of two Fortismere students, said: “After years of austerity we all understand that state schools are under huge financial pressure and that there are no easy choices left to be made.

“This is why it is essential that headteachers work constructively and creatively together with their teaching staff to find the least worst solution for everyone. At Fortismere this has not happened resulting in strikes and huge disruption for parents, teachers and pupils.

“It is our children who suffer most from this failure of the grown ups in charge to lead negotiations to a successful outcome.”

Ana Bellver, mother of two Fortismere students, added: “We are deeply disappointed by the ongoing teacher strikes at Fortismere Secondary School in Haringey. The failure of the two headteachers to reach an agreement has exacerbated the situation, leaving our dedicated educators overworked and underpaid.

“This is a stark contrast to the progress achieved by Gladesmore Community School. The local authority and the government must recognise the urgent need for increased funding for our schools. It is unacceptable that our teachers are forced to bear the brunt of systemic inadequacies.”

Haringey Council has previously stated that “progress is being made” in talks and that it hopes a deal can be reached with the NEU. It has claimed it was forced to pass on cuts after central funding was redistributed to other boroughs, with headteachers now facing budget deficits.

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