Staff and teachers at a recently academised North London primary school are balloting to take strike action over ‘worsening’ working conditions since the takeover, including their hours and increased responsibilities. It adds to the 18 Harris Federation-run secondary schools and colleges across London where National Education Union (NEU) members are also conducting formal ballots.
Despite a prolonged campaign by staff, parents, and local politicians, Byron Court Primary School in Wembley was controversially closed last year after a ‘forced academisation’ order was issued by the Department for Education (DfE) following an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted report. The school reopened in September 2024 as South Kenton Primary Academy, under the control of the multi-academy trust, Harris Federation.
A preliminary online ballot was conducted by the NEU prior to going to a full ballot, which resulted in more than 80 per cent of members voting and returned a 100 per cent ‘yes’ vote to strike from those who took part. Brent District Joint Secretary of the NEU, Jenny Cooper, called the result ‘decisive’ and believes the full ballot will be successful.
Whilst some of the issues raised by members have been resolved by the trust following meetings with the head teacher and executives, there are others still outstanding that have prompted the union to vote on taking collective action.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ms Cooper said: “Throughout the whole time since September the issues have been broadly around the number of hours being worked – what we call directed time in teaching – and changes to people’s roles, which in some cases could potentially affect pay.”
As well as teachers, this issue relates to support staff having to work ‘an excessive amount of cover’ for classes without it being reflected in their pay. Ms Cooper added: “Either pay them as a teacher or don’t get them to cover as much.”
Ms Cooper claimed that, as soon as the school became an academy, ‘their working time got changed’. National conditions for teachers state that they are directed to work – either in the building, in meetings, or at training events – for a total of 1,265 hours per year. However, teachers often end up doing more than that due to marking work at home and other tasks.
The NEU claimed that when the academy published the members’ time calendars it was ‘way over the directed time’ required and, although it agreed to reduce it, it ‘still didn’t meet the 1,265 hours per year’. Ms Cooper said: “You’re only talking about ten minutes here and there but it adds up to days over the year. Our argument is that people are essentially doing voluntary work because they’re not being paid for it.”
She added: “The staff are sometimes criticised for being negative and not moving on from when they were academised but it would be easier to not be negative and move on if everything was a bit more transparent and fair and you weren’t having to argue for all your rights.”
The formal balloting will close on Friday (28 February) in order for it to coordinate with a wider ballot of 18 Harris Federation-run secondary schools and colleges across London, which will conclude on the same day. The union claimed that the preliminary ballot had an 80% turnout with a 92% ‘yes’ vote for strike action.
The wider ballot relates to ‘excessive and unhealthy levels of workload, an unfair and punitive pay progression system, and the unfair treatment of Caribbean and other overseas trained teachers’ according to the NEU. Harris Federation Trust were approached for comment but did not respond ahead of publication.
General Secretary of the NEU, Daniel Kebede, said: “Our members care deeply about education and its role in transforming pupils’ lives. But for many working in Harris schools the work is no longer sustainable, with over a quarter of Harris teachers leaving last year.”
He added: “Harris needs to address the working conditions of our members and spend more money on the things our pupils really need – excellent teachers, and excellent support staff. Harris schools, colleges, parents, children and young people all deserve better.”
The formal ballot is being conducted at the following schools and sixth form colleges:
Harris Academy Battersea
Harris Academy Beulah Hill
Harris Academy Chobham (Stratford)
Harris Academy Clapham
Harris Academy Greenwich
Harris Academy Merton
Harris Academy Morden
Harris Academy Orpington
Harris Academy Peckham
Harris Academy Rainham
Harris Academy St John’s Wood
Harris Academy Wimbledon
Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
Harris Clapham Sixth Form
Harris Girls’ Academy East Dulwich
Harris Invictus Academy Croydon
Harris Westminster Sixth Form
