United Learning facing industrial action on two fronts

England’s biggest academy chain is facing industrial action at two institutions, with existing strikes at a struggling free school, which it already runs, possibly to be followed by action at a high-profile comprehensive which it is controversially in line to take over.

United Learning, which runs 75 academies, was this week dealing with what were days two and three of a strike at Walthamstow Primary Academy, in Waltham Forest, north London, with more action seemingly on the cards following the Easter holidays.

And at Holland Park, a secondary academy in Kensington, west London, which governors are poised to hand to United in the teeth of a strong community campaign which has the backing of the Conservative-controlled local authority, teachers this week strongly backed an indicative ballot on industrial action.

Education Uncovered has also learnt that Walthamstow Primary Academy has only just over half the number of pupils that United Learning predicted, in its official application to open as a free school, that it would have by now.

The detail: WPA

At Walthamstow Primary Academy, a free school which opened under United in 2015, National Education Union (NEU) members have been on strike having sent a document to management  with 49 “issues” at the school which the union says need addressing.