Teachers at a Hoxton primary school picketed outside its gates this week after accusing the executive head teacher of bullying.
Teachers picketing outside Whitmore Primary School. Photo: Liam O’Brien
Twelve teachers from Whitmore Primary School, in Bridport Place, gathered on Tuesday and Wednesday to demonstrate against alleged unfair treatment at the hands of Greg Wallace.
Progress at the underperforming school was judged “inadequate” in its last Ofsted inspection, and it was placed under the care of the Best Start Federation, a cross-school body headed by Mr Wallace.
But Mr Wallace’s measures to improve results, including increased lesson observations and a workload of more than 50 hours each week, have been met with anger from theteachers, who believe that he wants to get rid of all current staff.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT), which organised the strike action, alleges that a number of staff are planning to leave at Easter, some of whom are currently taking time off for stress-related illnesses.
In a letter addressed to parents, the NUT said it was concerned with “the high level of bullying of teachers” taking place at the school.
Mick Regan, NUT branch secretary for Hackney, said: “The teachers feel like they have no control over lessons, they have no work-life balance and that they’re being constantly observed.”
Martin Powell-Davies, NUT executive member, added: “This is an example of how the future of education should not be.”
Mr Wallace declined to comment on the accusations directly, but a school spokesperson said that drastic new policies were necessary in overhauling teaching: “Our pupils deserve better and we must take action to improve their education. We are therefore incredibly disappointed that the union has decided to pursue strike action.”
Mr Wallace has a reputation for transforming the borough’s failing schools. The latest Ofsted report for London Fields Primary School, also under the Best Start umbrella, said: “Pupils bubbled with enthusiasm and pride as they talked about the magical change that happened at the start of the federation; it had given them a reason to learn.”
Although lessons continued as normal after substitute teachers were drafted in, parents appeared confused as to why teachers were striking.
Modupe Adebekun, who has a son at the school, said: “We don’t really understand what this strike is about. My child asked me, ‘Why are the teachers outside?’ We spoke to the head but she said she doesn’t have time to speak to us at the moment.”
