AN education trust says an agreement has been reached to end strikes by teachers at local schools.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) had taken part in a number of walkouts in protest at planned redundancies at the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP).
The industrial action had caused the closure of a number of local schools.
But children are now set to return to the classroom after an agreement was reached.
A spokesperson for the ATLP said:
“We are very pleased to say that, after constructive discussions between ATLP leaders and NEU representatives, we have secured an agreement that brings the industrial action of recent weeks to an end.
“All ATLP schools will be open next week and beyond to all children and young people.
“The NEU raised several important challenges, which ATLP has responded to positively by adjusting its plans to secure the trust’s financial recovery. The new position has been accepted by NEU members.”
The agreement comes after the ATLP said CEO Richard Gill would be taking a “leave of absence”.
The trust said that while it remained committed to tackling the financial challenges it faces, a new approach to would now be taken:
“The ATLP has agreed to pause all current restructuring and redundancy consultations, will take every step possible so that any future compulsory redundancies are a last resort, and has committed to reviewing central trust costs so that additional funding can be directed to schools.
“Both parties recognise the significant financial challenges facing ATLP and agree that action must be taken to ensure the financial recovery of the trust. Therefore we will together attend weekly meetings to assess the financial situation, agree the plan to tackle the deficit, and monitor progress.
“NEU representatives and ATLP leaders agree that this transparent, open and collaborative approach will mean the financial challenges can be addressed most effectively. We will actively seek staff and parent input to the decision-making process.
“ATLP and the NEU recognise that no staff take the decision to go on strike lightly, and that industrial action causes disruption, especially to children and young people, and their families. All parties welcome the establishment of a constructive relationship and look forward to working closely to address and tackle the issues together.”
