Strike dispute resolved at four schools

Teaching unions have voted to end strike action over workload and redundancies at four schools in Lincolnshire.

National Education Union (NEU) members at schools in Horncastle, Boston and Huttoft have taken seven days of strike action since May, and members of NASUWT have also staged walkouts.

Both unions said their members had voted for an agreement with Horncastle Education Trust, which included a commitment to avoid compulsory redundancies, measures to reduce staff workload and recognition of the trade unions.

Sandra James, chief executive of the trust, welcomed the resolution and said it would continue working with unions and support pupils and staff.

"Everyone involved shares the same fundamental priority: providing the best possible education for our pupils," James said.

"We will continue working with our union colleagues to fulfil the agreements reached and ensure our schools can focus on supporting their pupils, staff and wider communities."

The dispute involved staff at Banovallum School and Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Horncastle, New York and Frithville Primary School in Boston, and Huttoft Primary School.

As part of the agreement, the NEU said teachers would retain specialist subject teaching roles, receive at least 13% planning and preparation time, and be consulted on the trust's transition to a new academy trust.

A NEU spokesperson added: "We would like to thank the local communities that our schools operate in for their support during picket lines.

"Whilst staff are still reporting high workloads, it is pleasing that we have had some success, improving the education at our schools."

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