The NASUWT today said no resolution had been reached during four hours of talks last night to try to resolve the dispute at John Cabot Academy in Kingswood.
As we reported yesterday, the Cabot Learning Federation, which runs the school in Woodside Road, is hoping that a series of proposed strikes by members of the NASUWT and NUT can be averted. It is understood that more than 70 teachers could take industrial action.
Wendy Exton from the NASUWT National Executive, is negotiating on behalf of John Cabot members. Today she told us: “Unfortunately we have still not managed to seek resolution after a four-hour meeting last night, the sticking points remain the three major issues that are concerning all staff which are performance targets, unannounced observations and directed time.
“Although the school has moved on some issues, these are the minor ones which in some cases do not affect all staff. The issues remaining are directly affecting workload.”
Miss Exton said talks would resume at 5pm today.
Meanwhile in a letter to parents this week, the academy’s principal Kate Willis said that should strike action seem likely following talks, she would “assess the viability of opening the Academy to students” and give parents as much warning as possible.
She added: “We are an Academy that sets high standards, as we believe that young people deserve the very best education that we can deliver. It is vital that we continue to work together to address the Academy improvement priorities, improve the outcomes and life chances of our students and we are enormously grateful for the hard work of staff at John Cabot Academy.”
The principal said she would be holding drop-in sessions for parents on Friday afternoon.
