Teachers to strike over plans to extend length of school day

SPOKESPERSON FOR TRUST SAID IT REMAINS 'OPEN TO CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE'

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

A SCUNTHORPE secondary is set to see six days of strike action over plans to extend the school day by half an hour.

Members of teachers' union NAS-UWT at Outwood Academy Foxhills in Crosby and Park Ward are striking over proposals by Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) to extend the school day by thirty minutes, to finish at 3pm.

OGAT has said it is to bring it in line with Department for Education expectations of 32.5 minimum teaching hours a week.

The union's members are unhappy with existing break times for pupils being too short and do not wish to work more hours for no extra pay.

NASUWT's national executive member at the school has claimed Foxhills staff "frequently report that they are unable to take a break, and some children "actively avoid getting lunch" because of the limited time.

An OGAT spokesperson has said it is "surprised and exceptionally dis-appointed" by the strike action, as it follows a "thorough 12-week consultation".