Teachers and school staff at Warwick's Aylesford School go on strike over 'restructuring plans'

The National Education Union (NEU) announced its members employed by the school would be striking for six days, with the first day of strikes taking place today (June 4).

NEU said its members, who make up a majority of the staff, will be striking “following the employer’s failure to rule out compulsory redundancies and meaningfully consult with staff about the changes.”

However, Aylesford School said it that its restructuring has now resulted in no compulsory redundancies and that it has been forced to make cuts due to “significant financial challenges”.

Talks are still ongoing between the union and the school.

What the union says

According to the NEU, staff at Aylesford returned from the Easter holidays to the news of the restructure consultation on April 13, which lasted 20 working days.

The proposals included 11 compulsory redundancies, which the union said included “key student facing roles”, such as music, drama and PE teachers.

The NWU said: “Aylesford claims it is having to make redundancies due to falling student numbers after the school has struggled in recent years with asbestos, the closure of its Sixth Form and constant changes of leadership.

“The current Interim Headteacher Andy Perry was appointed in March 2026.

“However, NEU members contend that student numbers fell because of the effect of asbestos closing large parts of the site and poor leadership, but student numbers will only fall further with the proposed cuts.”

Simon O’Hara, assistant branch secretary of Warwickshire NEU, said: “Our members are striking to save the future of Aylesford.

“This situation is a direct result of the employer’s actions. We cannot accept the managed decline of Aylesford and mass redundancies.

“Staff who have kept this school going through thick and thin in recent years should not pay with their jobs for the mismanagement by current and former leadership.

“Our members remain united that these cuts will damage Aylesford’s ability to provide a broad, balanced and rich curriculum for students.”

Local Aylesford parents held a public meeting with representatives of the NEU on May 22, and many have expressed support for the staff going out on strike.

Simon O’Hara continued: “We have seen in recent months the successful strikes at Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.

“Let this action at Aylesford also send a message to other local employers considering ramming through ill-considered restructures and redundancies. The NEU will fight for our local schools and for the future of education.”

The NEU has named further strike dates on June 9, 11, 16, 18 and 19 and said it reserves the right to name further dates “if the employer fails to provide concessions”.

"The NEU continues to be committed to a negotiated resolution of the dispute,” said the union.

Aylesford School’s response

Today (June 2) Aylesford School issued a response to the press in regards to the notice of strike action, and was keen to stress that its restructuring has now resulted in no compulsory redundancies.

A spokesperson from Aylesford School said: “The NEU has stated that the dispute relates to ‘the employer enforcing a restructure with mass redundancies’.

“Whilst financial circumstances have meant a restructure, this has been achieved with six redundancies, accounting for around four per cent of the work force and they have all been voluntary.

“The school is facing significant financial challenges and is required to deliver necessary savings by August 31.

“A restructuring proposal was approved by the Governing Body in July 2025, with the final version agreed in March 2026 and implemented from April 13 to meet these financial requirements by the start of the new academic year.

“While this has been a difficult process for all involved, the restructure has achieved the savings required in line with Department for Education guidance.

“We can confirm that, following a full and meaningful consultation process, there have been no compulsory redundancies.

“The primary driver of the school’s financial position is a sustained decline in pupil numbers.

“This challenge has been compounded by previous disruptions, including the partial closure of buildings in 2023; however, the school is now fully operational.”

Addressing concerns from the NEU

Responding to the union, the school said it has “carefully considered the concerns raised by the NEU” by making the following statements.

In terms of workload, the school said: “A review is underway ahead of September 2026 to ensure workloads remain manageable under the revised structure.”

And on the subject of union recognition, they added: “The school has agreed to explore the introduction of a Trade Union Recognition Agreement (TURA) and a Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC).

"However, the NEU has requested that bargaining rights be extended to support staff, which has been challenged by other unions. As previously communicated, the school will not assign bargaining rights to specific groups where other unions have made clear they would not support a TURA that does not ensure appropriate representation for all staff through their respective unions.”

The spokesperson added: “The school remains committed to stabilising its financial position and improving the quality of education for its pupils.

“While we recognise the dedication and commitment of staff, our priority is to secure the long-term future of the school and rebuild confidence within the community.

“We do not believe that industrial action will have a positive impact on pupils or the wider school community. We encourage the NEU and its members to engage constructively with us to reach a resolution and support the shared goal of school improvement.

“The school was not invited to attend a recent public meeting organised by the NEU.

“We also urge caution when making comparisons with other organisations, as each situation is unique.

“We are concerned by public statements suggesting this dispute should serve as a wider warning to other schools.

“Aylesford School does not support actions or messaging that may cause further disruption or uncertainty for pupils and families.

“We remain willing to engage in dialogue with the NEU to resolve this dispute; however, some of the union’s demands are not negotiable and are not considered to be in the best interests of the school or its pupils.”