At Newbury Park Primary School, a teacher claims that the headteacher, Sebrina Dawes, is overusing 'split classes' due to a lack of substitute teachers. This practice involves merging classes when a regular teacher is absent, leading to significant disruption and inadequate resources for students. Instances of split classes reportedly reached 70 in just 127 teaching days. Additionally, the duration of ongoing strikes has surprised teachers, who initially believed the situation would be resolved quickly. Communication between administration and a teachers' union has not led to an effective resolution regarding strike action.
"I called other schools in Redbridge to ask about split classes and the vast majority said they've had zero instances, some said they had three or four that were used in case of genuine emergency."
"In our case, we have been teaching 40+ children all day but we don't have enough resources, desks and chairs so the children will sit on the floor until they are sore."
"None of us expected to be out for so long; we thought the threat of strike might be enough. It should have been resolved by now."
"While union banners and messaging prominently call to 'end the strike', their decision to reject this request suggests a determination to continue industrial action despite the impact on children's learning."
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