Members of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, will hold the first of five days of strike action beginning today (Wednesday 27 February) at the Mount Education Support Centre in Stoke on Trent. The action is in furtherance of the NASUWT’s trade dispute with the Secretary of State, and the failure of the service to respond appropriately to the NASUWT’s national action instructions, particularly in regard to teachers’ appraisals.

Members of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Service (SENDS) are taking action in response to the imposition of a new punitive performance management policy by Stoke on Trent City Council, which the NASUWT believes undermines teacher professionalism.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“Teachers are not opposed to performance management policies which are professional, supportive and which support them to develop their classroom practice.

“Unfortunately, the policy adopted by Stoke on Trent City Council is punitive rather…