The National Education Union has notified Shrewsbury Colleges Group that they will be taking further industrial action at the end of January and in early February.
The National Education Union has notified Shrewsbury Colleges Group that they will be taking further industrial action at the end of January and in early February. The strike days will be Wednesday 29 January, Thursday 6 February, and Friday 7 February.
The majority of lessons scheduled for these days will be completely unaffected by the planned strike action.
James Staniforth, the college's Principal, said, ‘Our position as a college remains the same. The strike action is not directed at the college as the union is demanding a fully funded pay award from the Secretary of State for Education.’
He continued: ’We broadly support paying the college’s teachers and support staff the same 5.5% pay award that has been awarded to teachers who work in schools and academy colleges. However, we do not condone any action that is detrimental to our students. We also consider that strike action in thirty-two colleges scattered around the country is unlikely to influence the Secretary of State.’
James concluded: ‘We are grateful to everybody who has ensured that the impact of the previous strikes on our students has been minimised.’
Teaching unions, including the NEU, have rejected an offer of 3.5% from 1 September 2024 rising to 5.5% from 1 April. The Department of Education provided schools and academy colleges an additional £1.1 billion in funding this year to fund the 5.5% pay award for their teachers. Designated sixth-form colleges, like Shrewsbury Colleges Group, will receive additional funding from 1 April 2025, but no funding to cover the pay award from 1 September to 31 March.
Any of the small number of students affected by strike action will be contacted by the relevant Curriculum Director on Monday, 27 January.
The Curriculum Directors are:
English Bridge Campus
Helen Morgan and Belinda Greenaway
Welsh Bridge Campus
Cathy McAllister and Jamie Hopkins
London Road Campus
Michelle Dawes, Andrew Lee, Jackie Swan, Stuart Raine, Micky Riddell