Academy sacks primary class teacher with immediate effect after she takes part in union strike

Move comes just weeks after its head teacher praised her teaching as helping her class “thrive,” with her continuing work with them ensuring stability for her seven- and eight-her-old pupils.

A class teacher was sacked with immediate effect after taking part in a union strike earlier this month, Education Uncovered has learnt.

The teacher, whom this website is not naming, attended the picket line at St Francis Church of England primary school in Falmouth, Cornwall, on Friday July 4^th, only to find, within hours, that she had had her contract terminated, and should not come into school on Monday.

A teaching assistant, who worked with the teacher in supporting her class, also had her contract terminated.

The moves came only weeks after the headteacher of the school, which is part of the Kernow Learning Multi Academy Trust, had praised the pair, in a letter to parents at the start of this term.

The National Education said it is considering the legal implications of Kernow Learning’s move, with both workers being long-term supply staff, who have rights under employment law. Local media showed NEU members drawing enthusiastic support from members of the community last week, as their dispute with the school over issues including workload, lesson observations and communication reached a fourth strike day today.

The trust is also facing allegations that supply staff were used to cover for striking employees; and even a claim from the union that Kernow Learning does not pay its teachers Teaching and Learning Responsibility Payments. (TLRs).

Kernow Learning, presented with detailed points from this article, said “we do not recognise” the issues raised.