Pupil ‘fired pretend gun in playground’ whereas academics have been placing at major college over ‘assaults and violence’
A pupil ‘fired a fake gun’ at a primary school on the same day teachers striked complaining that violent children brought knives into the classroom and assaulted staff.
Staff at Ravensfield Primary School in Greater Manchester staged a walkout on Tuesday January 6 and Wednesday January 7.
In a letter sent out to parents, seen by the Daily Mail, they were informed that on the second day of strike action a child caused a panic in the playground when they ‘discharged an imitation firearm while under the supervision of their mother’.
Although the school reassured parents that no one was injured or threatened by the fake weapon, staff said they are working closely with Greater Manchester Police to ‘ensure the appropriate measures are taken’.
The harrowing ordeal is just the latest instance of violence, which included claims that children had physically assaulted staff and brought knives into the school.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the persistent bad behaviour had become such a cause for concern that parents are taking their children out of the school.
Alongside staff at Lily Lane Primary School – in the Moston area of Manchester – workers from Ravensfield Primary School staged a walkout this week over their working conditions.
Staff at both schools say they have been physically attacked and some pupils are too scared to attend class.
In a letter sent out to parents, seen by The Daily Mail, they were informed that on the second day of strike action a child caused a panic in the playground when they ‘discharged an imitation firearm while under the supervision of their mother’
Staff at Ravensfield Primary School (pictured) in Greater Manchester staged a walkout on Tuesday January 6 and Wednesday January 7
Teachers also say there have been instances of pupils being hit, kicked and even spat at.
Both schools are part of the Changing Lives in Collaboration Trust (CLiC) and following the announcement of strike action, the trust said the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff was its ‘highest priority’.
The trust said teachers were ‘suffering high levels of stress and anxiety which are affecting their entire lives’.
Rachel Knight and Jac Casson, National Executive Members for Greater Manchester, said: ‘Working conditions at these CLiC Trust schools are devastating the teachers. They are desperate for change. Alongside their physical injuries, teachers are suffering high levels of stress and anxiety which are affecting their entire lives.
‘All they want is to go to work in a safe environment and to be able to keep their pupils safe.’
CLiC said it was ‘disappointed’ to see the walkout ‘so soon after the ballot without adequate opportunity to respond to members’ concerns’.
Picket lines at both schools are due to take place at 8.45am on January 7 and 8. Both schools will remain open during industrial action.
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. It is fair to say that this strike constitutes a declaration of emergency from the teachers. The health and safety of everyone at these schools is at risk.’
Staff at Lily Lane Primary School (pictured) and Ravensfield Primary School in Manchester claim that teachers have been physically attacked and some pupils are now too afraid to attend
Leaders at the trust say they are keen to work with NASUWT and respect the right of its members to take action. But added that the union chose not to accept a ‘collective conciliation’.
Strike action at Lily Lane Primary School and Ravensfield Primary School is planned for January 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22.
Jo Ashcroft, CEO of CLiC Trust said: ‘The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff in all our schools is of the very highest priority to us and we work closely with every one of our schools to ensure they maintain the very highest safeguarding standards at all times.
‘We also support our schools to ensure the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs are fully met.
‘We completely respect the right of union members to take strike action where they believe it to be necessary, however it’s disappointing in this case that strike action is taking place so soon after the ballot without adequate opportunity to respond to members’ concerns, and despite the Trust having engaged ACAS to offer collective conciliation, which the union chose not to accept. We remain keen to work in partnership with the NASUWT to discuss their members’ concerns.
‘In the meantime arrangements are in place for both schools to remain open to all pupils during any strike action that ensues.’
The Daily Mail has approached Ravensfield Primary School and Greater Manchester Police for a comment.
