This week's Highcrest strike action called off

9:45am Tuesday 20th November 2012 in News By Neil Phillips

Highcrest strike action called off Highcrest strike action called off

PLANNED strike action by teachers at Highcrest Academy has been postponed entirely for this week.

The High Wycombe based academy made the announcement this morning, following “constructive” talks with unions yesterday.

Up to 38 staff from the academy in High Wycombe had planned to strike, with further action threatened for next week.

The proposed action by members of the NUT and NASUWT trade unions came after four teachers, represented by the NUT, were deducted pay for failing to attend an appraisal on an inset day.

Highcrest, based in Hatters Lane, said failing to attend was a breach of contract but unions said its members were acting on instructions as part of a national campaign to improve teachers’ working conditions, and were still on site carrying out normal work.

The academy says the unions’ issues with the appraisal itself have been addressed and that potential pay deductions are now withdrawn.

This morning’s statement from Highcrest said: “After some very constructive talks between the NASUWT, NUT, Governors and Management Team, enough has been achieved to recommend postponement of this week’s action, pending finalising yesterday’s positive discussions.

“The main issue around Career Stage Profile which led to potential deductions has been resolved and, subject to consultation with other teacher unions and staff, will be removed and replaced with an agreed simple audit against Teachers’ Standards.

"The effect of this is that the NASUWT and NUT are now satisfied that appraisals can be completed by all staff. Therefore all potential deductions are withdrawn.

“Unions will be discussing the finer detail with their members as soon as possible with a view to calling off all planned escalation.”

Check the site for updates on this story later today.

Comments (13)

3:43pm Tue 20 Nov 12

readerabc says...

life continues in the real world....
life continues in the real world.... readerabc

7:53pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Welwyn Dowd says...

What an achievement, the school has managed to beat the unions into getting their members to take the money back and not take part in the appraisals. It took a lot of effort but they got there in the end.
What an achievement, the school has managed to beat the unions into getting their members to take the money back and not take part in the appraisals. It took a lot of effort but they got there in the end. Welwyn Dowd

8:33pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Littleskyfall says...

We live in a democratic Country so I am pleased that staff are standing up for their rights, and showing bosses they not dictators.
We live in a democratic Country so I am pleased that staff are standing up for their rights, and showing bosses they not dictators. Littleskyfall

9:18am Wed 21 Nov 12

faircuppa says...

Yes, well done to the school community in resolving their differences. On wards and upwards for Highcrest again.
Yes, well done to the school community in resolving their differences. On wards and upwards for Highcrest again. faircuppa

8:03pm Wed 21 Nov 12

slickchick says...

One can only hope that this means that the school's management team are listening and not dictating without consultation. Perhaps now they will also consider working with all the other Wycombe schools on adopting a common admission policy for all Wycombe upper schools and drop their banding tests. Parents do not want a multitude of different tests for individual schools.
One can only hope that this means that the school's management team are listening and not dictating without consultation. Perhaps now they will also consider working with all the other Wycombe schools on adopting a common admission policy for all Wycombe upper schools and drop their banding tests. Parents do not want a multitude of different tests for individual schools. slickchick

11:39pm Wed 21 Nov 12

itstheprincipal says...

Final Score.......
Teachers 1 v Management Team 0

Teachers win from an own goal scored by Miss Moynihan in the 92nd minute.
Final Score....... Teachers 1 v Management Team 0 Teachers win from an own goal scored by Miss Moynihan in the 92nd minute. itstheprincipal

12:12am Thu 22 Nov 12

faircuppa says...

slickchick wrote:
One can only hope that this means that the school's management team are listening and not dictating without consultation. Perhaps now they will also consider working with all the other Wycombe schools on adopting a common admission policy for all Wycombe upper schools and drop their banding tests. Parents do not want a multitude of different tests for individual schools.
I am sure that the school would work collectively with the other schools that are planning to become all ability. You never know the grammars might sign up.
The school did do a very lengthy consultation - longer, in fact, than was required.
[quote][p][bold]slickchick[/bold] wrote: One can only hope that this means that the school's management team are listening and not dictating without consultation. Perhaps now they will also consider working with all the other Wycombe schools on adopting a common admission policy for all Wycombe upper schools and drop their banding tests. Parents do not want a multitude of different tests for individual schools.[/p][/quote]I am sure that the school would work collectively with the other schools that are planning to become all ability. You never know the grammars might sign up. The school did do a very lengthy consultation - longer, in fact, than was required. faircuppa

12:18am Thu 22 Nov 12

faircuppa says...

itstheprincipal wrote:
Final Score.......
Teachers 1 v Management Team 0

Teachers win from an own goal scored by Miss Moynihan in the 92nd minute.
Bill Shankly may have said that football was not a matter of life or death, that it was far more important than that. But in this case it does rather trivialise the matter, I feel. The winners here are parents and students. We should stop having a go at Sheena M as she has done a terrific amount for the school and enhanced opportunity for many people.
[quote][p][bold]itstheprincipal[/bold] wrote: Final Score....... Teachers 1 v Management Team 0 Teachers win from an own goal scored by Miss Moynihan in the 92nd minute.[/p][/quote]Bill Shankly may have said that football was not a matter of life or death, that it was far more important than that. But in this case it does rather trivialise the matter, I feel. The winners here are parents and students. We should stop having a go at Sheena M as she has done a terrific amount for the school and enhanced opportunity for many people. faircuppa

6:53pm Fri 23 Nov 12

buftonp13 says...

What is all this about? Ami right in thinking four teachers were being deducted money as they never attended some sort of course or event on an inset day? What is wrong with that if they never turned up why should they get paid? Then the other teachers were going to go on strike because of it? That is totaly wrong, their jobs are to be at school teaching students not having days off, what about parents who would have lost out on a days work because they would have had to stay at home? They've done alot of good things over the years at Highcrest since the Hatters lane days dont ruin that.
What is all this about? Ami right in thinking four teachers were being deducted money as they never attended some sort of course or event on an inset day? What is wrong with that if they never turned up why should they get paid? Then the other teachers were going to go on strike because of it? That is totaly wrong, their jobs are to be at school teaching students not having days off, what about parents who would have lost out on a days work because they would have had to stay at home? They've done alot of good things over the years at Highcrest since the Hatters lane days dont ruin that. buftonp13

10:00pm Fri 23 Nov 12

Littleskyfall says...

No, thats not it at all, the head was trying to change their contracts in their appraisals without going through the correct procedure, so they were advised by the teachers union not to go to their appraisal. They were then deducted pay. This was wrong and it has now been proven.
No, thats not it at all, the head was trying to change their contracts in their appraisals without going through the correct procedure, so they were advised by the teachers union not to go to their appraisal. They were then deducted pay. This was wrong and it has now been proven. Littleskyfall

2:04am Sat 24 Nov 12

faircuppa says...

Littleskyfall wrote:
No, thats not it at all, the head was trying to change their contracts in their appraisals without going through the correct procedure, so they were advised by the teachers union not to go to their appraisal. They were then deducted pay. This was wrong and it has now been proven.
Rubbish, it is just another example of the skill and dedication of the Headteacher. She has kept the show on the road as usual. Let us now look at what some of the grammar schools are proposing with the 11+ and the scandal of poor acheivement in some of Wycombe's primaries. There is a lot more to come about Wycombe education issues shortly.
[quote][p][bold]Littleskyfall[/bold] wrote: No, thats not it at all, the head was trying to change their contracts in their appraisals without going through the correct procedure, so they were advised by the teachers union not to go to their appraisal. They were then deducted pay. This was wrong and it has now been proven.[/p][/quote]Rubbish, it is just another example of the skill and dedication of the Headteacher. She has kept the show on the road as usual. Let us now look at what some of the grammar schools are proposing with the 11+ and the scandal of poor acheivement in some of Wycombe's primaries. There is a lot more to come about Wycombe education issues shortly. faircuppa

2:58pm Sat 24 Nov 12

itstheprincipal says...

faircuppa says...."Rubbish, it is just another example of the skill and dedication of the Headteacher...."

PURLEEEEEESE...Just go get a room together!!!!
faircuppa says...."Rubbish, it is just another example of the skill and dedication of the Headteacher...." PURLEEEEEESE...Just go get a room together!!!! itstheprincipal

3:46pm Sat 24 Nov 12

faircuppa says...

itstheprincipal wrote:
faircuppa says...."Rubbis
h, it is just another example of the skill and dedication of the Headteacher...."

PURLEEEEEESE...Just go get a room together!!!!
This skill, dedication and also innovation is clearly demonstrated for over 10 years by Sheena Monyihan. This is factual and measurable from the low baseline from which the new school started. School improvement - itsthe principle.
[quote][p][bold]itstheprincipal[/bold] wrote: faircuppa says...."Rubbis h, it is just another example of the skill and dedication of the Headteacher...." PURLEEEEEESE...Just go get a room together!!!![/p][/quote]This skill, dedication and also innovation is clearly demonstrated for over 10 years by Sheena Monyihan. This is factual and measurable from the low baseline from which the new school started. School improvement - itsthe principle. faircuppa

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