Strike proposal over allegations of 'toxic' workplace at Crofton Hammond Junior School in Stubbington leads to public meeting

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) at Crofton Hammond Junior School in Fareham are currently being balloted for strike action that could take place in the new year.

The dispute concerns allegations of excessive workloads, unagreed working practices, and ‘bullying and victimisation’ of the union rep.

Now the union has arranged a public meeting for parents, who are invited to attend Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Stubbington at 6.30pm on Wednesday.

Representatives decided to call the meeting after information about the strike ballot was leaked and spread on social media.

NEU joint Hampshire branch secretary, Sue Kent, said: ‘I have been supporting our members for some time to resolve these issues with the management of the school.

‘Our members have been working in a toxic environment, felt unsafe at work, and that management were not listening to their concerns. This is completely unacceptable.

‘After raising the issues, our members did not feel adequately supported by their employer to feel safe at work. Therefore, reluctantly, they felt they had no choice but to be balloted for strike action to ensure their concerns are taken seriously.

‘Outside of our control, information about our ballot has been leaked into the community and we are aware that this is understandably unsettling for parents. Therefore, we have organised a public meeting for all parents so that we can explain to the best of our ability why this was necessary.’

A teacher at the school said staff have felt ‘sick, scared, and anxious’ for too long – with some staff members seeking medical support due the situation.

The teacher said: ‘We came into teaching because we felt passionately about the importance and the lifelong benefits of a good primary education.

‘We would like our employer to work with us to speedily resolve this issue. We are wholeheartedly committed to serving this community and hope to continue to do so.’

Earlier this week saw the school’s headteacher – Ali Russell – step down from the role ‘due to personal circumstances’ until the Christmas break.