Richard Cobden Primary School

A STRIKE has been called at a primary school next week over cuts to support staff.

Camden Unison said more than 30 low-paid council employees at Richard Cobden in Camden Street, Camden Town, were threatened by a restructure.

The three-day walkout – this Tuesday to Thursday – comes as schools across the borough are forced to make changes due to a funding crisis.

Union branch secretary Liz Wheatley said: “Support staff are the backbone of any school. They are important in and outside the classroom. They are some of the lowest paid council workers. We believe the work they do far exceeds the money they are paid.

“The strike is over a restructure that is reducing school support staff at Richard Cobden. It affects more than 30 of our members.

“It’s going to reduce the numbers of midday school supervisors who oversee meal times and breaks. And the other thing is teaching assistants, who are getting their jobs re-evaluated.”

She added: “Underlying all of this is the school funding crisis. The borough schools are faced with potentially having to make cuts. Very often they come in the support staff our members have said they have had.”

In June, a campaign meeting organised by the National Education Union heard that state schools in Camden had been harder hit than any other borough in the country.

The government is continuing a process of reducing funding to schools across London.

The meeting, in Rhyl Primary School, heard from union chiefs and also headteachers who spoke about the struggles they face in balancing books.

Speaking about the picture across the borough, Fleet and Rhyl’s headteacher said: “There are schools that are managing to just barely keep those things in the curriculum, and those that aren’t.”

He said the meeting heard how schools often relied upon donations from parents associations and charity fundraisers just to maintain a basic level of provision, adding: “We shouldn’t be relying on charities for people who are ensuring that children are coming into school fed, clothed and ready to get an education.”

The New Journal has also reported on the added impact of increased demand for support for children with specialist education needs and disabilities (SEND).

While overall admissions are falling in Camden, reducing the amount each school gets, the proportion of children with SEND is rising.

Support staff play a critical role in helping children who need extra help with their school day.

All of the Unison members at the school backed the strike action and picket lines will he held outside the school from 7am.

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “The school is holding discussions with Unison to find a resolution. We understand this is a difficult time for those concerned and we are working closely with the school to support staff throughout the process and minimise disruption to pupils’ learning.”