‘Work closely with us, with wellbeing as top priority’

Oaks Park plans more strikes

MEMBERS say they are prepared to take action into September at a London school where five colleagues have lost their jobs after raising concerns about working on site at the height of the pandemic.

NEU co-rep Kieran Mahon has been sacked from Oaks Park High School, Ilford and four others have not had their contracts renewed.

Venda Premkumar, joint secretary Redbridge NEU, said this term there would be six days of strike action that began on 15 June with a “carnival of resistance” on the picket line.

Those who had lost their jobs had used section 44 letters asking not to work in school during the Covid second wave in January. “Members are being victimised and are very fearful because of the bullying,” Venda said.

Oaks Park teacher Melissa Green PHOTO by Kois Miah

NEU Cymru: ‘work with us’

NEU Cymru has written to the new Welsh Education Minister to congratulate him on his appointment and to urge him to work closely with the union.

Jeremy Miles, Member of the Senedd (MS) for Neath, replaces Kirsty Williams in the post with the new title of Minister for Education and Welsh Language. A lawyer, he was formerly Counsel General and Minister for Brexit.

In his letter, NEU Wales secretary David Evans sought an urgent meeting with Mr Miles to discuss the “many pressing issues” the Welsh teaching profession faces. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was top of the list: “We would ask that you work closely with us to help put the safety and wellbeing of everyone in education as a priority,” he wrote.

David reiterated the union’s belief that the new Curriculum for Wales, due to be introduced next year, should be delayed and that inspections by Estyn should remain on hold. He repeated the union’s calls to include supply teachers in the arrangements for school teachers’ pay and conditions, and for free school meals to be continued during holidays beyond Easter 2022.

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THE Welsh Government opened an eight-week consultation on 21 May on additional guidance for the new Curriculum for Wales. Visit

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