Teachers at Gateway Sixth Form College in Leicester are in dispute over classroom observation policy.
The dispute has been running since last September, but has recently resulted in National Union of Teachers (NUT) members striking for five days in a two-week period.
Notice of a further nine days of action in February has been given. This action has been supported by all 61 members of the union, with up to 45 NUT members from the college on the picket line each morning.
Attempts to reach a resolution have been thwarted by management’s refusal to accept a maximum number of three observations and the request that teachers know the time and date of an observation in advance. Members of the union are open to negotiating a new policy so long as those key factors are guaranteed.
On Wednesday 29 January over 40 teachers lobbied the governors and appealed to them to intervene to help resolve this dispute. Teachers have also leafleted students to ensure that they are clear about the cause of the dispute.
As the dispute continues, NUT members at Gateway are really concerned about the impact on students’ learning, but remain resolute that management have to understand their concern.
Messages of support are welcomed, and should be emailed to the school reps at alan@leicesternut.org.uk and lorraine@leicesternut.org.uk
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