Full Breakdown
Teachers Strike Over Safety Concerns in Greater Manchester Schools
1/7/2026, 1:51:33 PM
Overview of the Strike Action
Teachers at Lily Lane Primary School in Moston and Ravensfield Primary School in Dukinfield, both part of the Changing Lives in Collaboration (CLIC) Trust, have initiated strike action due to escalating violence and safety concerns. Reports indicate that incidents of pupil-on-teacher and pupil-on-pupil assaults have reached alarming levels, with teachers claiming that their concerns are being ignored by school leadership. The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) has announced that members will strike three days a week throughout January.
Nature of the Violence
Staff members have reported frequent violent incidents, including pupils biting, kicking, and throwing furniture at teachers. At Ravensfield, there have been instances of pupils bringing knives to school. A former teacher at Lily Lane, Conor Priestley, described his shock at the level of violence, stating, "I felt pretty prepared coming into the school, but I don't think I was quite prepared for the frequent instances of violence." Current staff members have echoed these sentiments, noting that the school environment has become increasingly unsafe, with children expressing fear and anxiety.
Leadership's Response
Jo Ashcroft, CEO of the CLIC Trust, emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff are a top priority. She expressed disappointment over the strike, stating that the trust had not been given the opportunity to address the teachers' concerns. The trust has engaged the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) to facilitate discussions, which the union has reportedly declined.
Union's Position and Criticism
Rachel Knight, an executive member of NASUWT, criticized the working conditions at the schools, highlighting the physical and mental toll on teachers. "Alongside their physical injuries, teachers are suffering high levels of stress and anxiety which are affecting their entire lives," she stated. Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT, called the situation a "declaration of emergency," asserting that the trust leaders are failing in their duty of care and have even intimidated staff who report concerns.
Impact on Students and Staff
Teachers have reported that the culture of violence is not only affecting their safety but also the wellbeing of students. One teacher noted, "We've got children sat in class who are scared—children who have just been beaten up." The lack of effective behavior policies and support for managing aggressive behavior has left staff feeling unsupported and overwhelmed.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the CLIC Trust maintains that it prioritizes safety and has engaged in discussions to address concerns, teachers assert that leadership has failed to take meaningful action. The union claims that leaders have known about the strike plans for months but have not made necessary improvements.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I wanted to be able to go in every day and teach, and most of the time I felt more like I was managing a bad situation.” — Conor Priestley, Former Teacher
- “Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said: “This strike represents an unprecedented event for our union: two primary schools from the same academy trust taking action over worryingly similar concerns.” — Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT
- “Our teachers have taken the brave and necessary step of saying: no more.” — Rachel Knight, NASUWT Executive Member
The ongoing strike reflects deep-seated issues within the schools, raising questions about the adequacy of leadership responses to safety and wellbeing concerns.
