Union hails improvements in teachers’ conditions at Cornwall primary school, as a result of strike action last term

NEU says concessions from Kernow Learning Multi Academy Trust show "what is possible when education staff act collectively".

The National Education Union has called off strikes at a primary school in Cornwall, after marathon talks on the eve of the new term led to a series of concessions from the academy trust running it. 

Kernow Learning Multi Academy Trust has agreed to improvements in the conditions of staff at St Francis Church of England primary in Falmouth, the union said, after six days of strike action in July, which appeared to have been strongly backed by the local community.

Improvements included movement from the trust on what the union said had been “excessive” lesson observations; on teacher directed time; and on support staff workload. One issue, on the trust seemingly not paying Teaching and Learning Responsibility payments (TLRs), remains to be resolved, however.