Four-day strike planned at Harrogate SEND school as staff raise safety concerns

Families with children at a Harrogate special educational needs school could face four days of disruption next week after staff voted to take strike action over concerns about staffing and workplace safety.

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) at Springwater Academy will walk out from Monday, July 13, to Thursday, July 16, saying they have reached a point where industrial action is the only way to secure improvements.

The union says the dispute centres on ongoing staff shortages, concerns about unsafe working conditions and the increasing use of support assistants to cover teaching roles normally carried out by qualified teachers.

Why are staff striking?

According to the NEU, staff have spent months raising concerns about workloads, vacancies and the long-term impact these pressures are having on both employees and pupils.

While talks with Ascent Academies Trust have resulted in progress on some issues, the union says key concerns over staff welfare and safe staffing levels remain unresolved.

“No teacher wants to stand on a picket line”

North Yorkshire NEU Branch Secretary Gary McVeigh-Kaye said the decision had not been taken lightly.

He said teachers would always rather be in the classroom than on strike, but argued that staff had shown patience throughout lengthy negotiations and felt they could no longer ignore the issues.

He said vacancies continue to place additional pressure on existing staff and that support assistants—who are highly valued members of the school community—should not routinely be expected to replace qualified teachers.

Mr McVeigh-Kaye said the action was intended to protect both staff and pupils while securing a more sustainable future for the school, adding that the union remains willing to continue negotiations if outstanding issues can be resolved.

About Springwater Academy

Located on Starbeck High Street, Springwater Academy is a specialist school supporting children and young people aged 2 to 19 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The school serves families from Harrogate and the surrounding area, providing education and specialist support for pupils with a wide range of additional needs.

Strike dates

If no agreement is reached, strike action is due to take place on:

• Monday, July 13
• Tuesday, July 14
• Wednesday, July 15
• Thursday, July 16

The NEU says it remains committed to finding a negotiated solution with Ascent Academies Trust that addresses staff concerns while ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone at Springwater Academy.

The NEU says it remains committed to finding a negotiated solution with Ascent Academies Trust that addresses staff concerns while ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone at Springwater Academy.