Teachers at Plymouth school take strike action over workload and working hours

Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Plympton Academy in Plymouth will be taking the first of six planned days of strike action tomorrow (Thursday) over the failure of school leaders to address excessive working hours and workload which are adversely affecting the wellbeing of teaching staff.

The current arrangements for managing teachers’ working hours are driving up workload and undermining teachers’ professionalism.

Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:
 
“Teachers cannot be expected to work effectively if their workloads are excessive and unmanageable. Despite all our best efforts the employer continues to fail to recognise this or to show any willingness to act to improve working conditions at the school.

“We have sought at every stage to work constructively with the employer to address the issues of excessive workload and working hours. However, our members’ patience is exhausted and therefore we have had no choice but to move to strike action.