TEACHERS fearing for their mental health after an “intimidating” Ofsted inspection led to threats of forced academisation are to strike for six days.

National Education Union (NEU) members at Byron Court Primary School in Wembley, north-west London, said today that they would take industrial action to save their community school from joining the Harris Federation academy chain.

The union said that long-serving members of staff face uncertainty over their jobs, pay and conditions under the potential takeover and are asking for a reinspection, “handled fairly and proportionately … after reports that Ofsted lied during the complaints process.”

The strikes begin on Friday, with further walkouts next Tuesday and Wednesday and on June 4-6, following a campaign backed by parents, councillors and Labour MP Barry Gardiner.

He has argued that the Ofsted downgrading of the school from “outstanding” to “inadequate” last November was wrong and ran counter to recommendations issued following the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry.

NEU national executive member Jenny Cooper vowed that the union would “not accept privatisation of our schools through a politicised Ofsted process, which is what we are seeing.”

Brent councillor Gwen Grahl, cabinet member for Children, Young People & Schools, said: “I have written to the DfE and Secretary of state opposing this draconian forced academisation.

“Allowing the school longer to effect improvements and giving Byron Court the opportunity for re-inspection prior to proceeding with academisation proposals is likely to resolve the current industrial dispute and provide reassurance to families and school staff during a tumultuous period for all.

“Byron Court is a much-loved community school and academisation remains deeply unpopular among families and staff. The local authority has quickly put extensive support in place to enable the school to address the issues raised by Ofsted and demonstrate that it can offer the high-quality education that all children deserve, without recourse to forced academisation.

“This includes changes in both the Senior Leadership Team, through the recruitment of an Interim Exec Headteacher, and the School Governing Board. It is clear that legislation surrounding forced academisation is disenfranchising communities and removing the valuable oversight of local authorities.” 

The school, academy chain and Ofsted were contacted for comment.