Upcoming strike dates at Aylesford School in Warwick have now been suspended.

Following its first day of strike action on June 4, members of the National Education Union (NEU) said the strike dates of June 9 and 11 will now not go ahead.

The union said that after negotiations on June 5, the employer have agreed to a “resolution action plan, including a plan to reduce workload and recognise the NEU”.

However, NEU members voted to keep the scheduled strike days of June 16, 18 and 19 until an “outstanding staffing matter is resolved”.

Members of staff at Aylesford School striking on June 4. Photo supplied by National Education Union

placeholder image — Members of staff at Aylesford School striking on June 4. Photo supplied by National Education Union

Teachers and support staff of the NEU at the school said they were striking against the employer enforcing a “rushed restructure with mass redundancies”.

However, talking before the strike, 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”. The school said it has not changed it position and had told the union that compulsory redundancies were not on the table before the strike.

More than 40 members of staff held a picket line outside the school and were joined in support by some parents.

Talking after the day of strike action, Simon O’Hara, assistant branch secretary of Warwickshire NEU, said: “We have agreed the basis of a plan to move forward positively, with a long term focus on reducing workload.

“Our members have stood together in solidarity to oppose cuts to jobs, conditions and to the curriculum.

“We genuinely believe Aylesford has a bright future, with state of the art facilities and great staff at both primary and secondary phases.

“We would encourage the local community to send their children to Aylesford.

“The staff there are simply phenomenal. They went on strike because they care.

“We look forward to improving industrial relations with the school and to trade union recognition.”

When approached for a comment, a spokesperson from Aylesford School said: “As per our previous statement, the NEU have suspended strikes following confirmation that there are no compulsory redundancies. Our position hasn’t changed.”

NEU members are due to meet by Friday June 12 to consider suspending the strike dates scheduled for June 16, 18 and 19.