Teachers at Crofton Hammond Junior School in Fareham weigh up strike action to end ‘bullying’, ‘victimisation’ and ‘unacceptable management practices’, union confirms

Teachers at Crofton Hammond Junior School are weighing up whether to stage a walk-out over their ‘conditions’ at the Mancroft Avenue school in Stubbington. Concerns have been raised over headteacher Ali Russell and Hampshire County Council following the dramatic turn of events that has led to fears children and staff could ‘suffer’.

The elected chair of governors, Russell Collier, has also gone from his post. The school’s website confirmed he had ‘left the governing body’ on Monday.

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The National Education Union (NEU) said: ‘NEU members at Crofton Hammond are currently being balloted over their conditions of service, including unacceptable management practices, excessive workload, victimisation of the workplace NEU representative, and unagreed working practices.

‘The ballot for industrial action closes on Monday, January 9. Nevertheless, members are seeking a prompt resolution to the dispute and would like to see an agreed workload agreement, a cessation of bullying and the victimisation of the NEU representative and agreed terms for the ongoing grievance investigation; including an independent investigating officer.’

Referring to Mr Collier’s position, the NEU said he was not a member but added: ‘He is a well-liked chair of governors and has dedicated a number of years in service to the school and local community.’

A source told The News of long-running issues involving teachers being bullied and victimised – including two female teachers who said they were refused a request to return to work on a part-time basis following their maternity leave. Other teachers were said to have been forced to take time off from work due to stress and anxiety.

Meanwhile, a post on Facebook from a disgruntled resident highlighted a ‘number of failings by the headteacher and serious breaches such as victimisation, bullying and incompetence’ with the local authority accused of failing to act.

‘Now teachers are voting to strike over the issues believing they have no choice,’ they continued, adding: ‘The chair of governors has now been removed from post by the local authority as he refused to stand down.’ They added children and staff will ‘continue to suffer’.

Crofton Hammond Junior school, issuing a comment on behalf of ‘Mrs (Helen) Cook - chair of governors’: said: ‘As a school we have a number of clear policies in place to guide our practice and, should any concerns arise, the appropriate processes would always be followed with the utmost sensitivity and fairness, working closely with the local authority. We are not able to comment on individual matters, and therefore have no further comment to make.’

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: ‘We are not able to comment on allegations or individual matters. However, we can confirm that should any concerns arise, these would always be fully investigated in line with the proper processes to ensure the most appropriate course of action is taken.

‘We are aware that a ballot for strike action has been raised but the outcome of this will not be known until early in the new year.’