Strike action halted at academies but funding dispute continues

Strike plans at five academies have been halted although discussions over a funding dispute are still ongoing.

Industrial action was due to take place on Wednesday, June 26, but has been cancelled following discussions between the University of Brighton Academies Trust, which funds the school, and the National Education Union (NEU).

Five academies funded by the University of Brighton Academies Trust, Burgess Hill Academy, Hastings Academy, Baird Primary Academy, St Leonard's Academy and Robsack Wood Primary Academy, are challenging the NEU on alleged missing funds.

A spokesman for the University of Brighton Academies Trust said: “We remain committed to ongoing negotiations with the NEU to prevent future industrial action from taking place.

“We will continue to keep our community informed about any developments.

“We appreciate the understanding and patience of our parents and carers.”

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However, plans for strike action on Monday, July 1, and Tuesday, July 2, remain unaltered.

Phil Clarke, the vice-president of the NEU Executive, said: “We suspended the strike because progress was being made in negotiations.

“However, we are still due to carry out strike action on Monday and Tuesday, which has not been withdrawn.”

A group of teachers and support staff at the Burgess Hill Academy accused the University of Brighton Academies Trust of “withholding a very significant amount of public funding”.

The group has alleged that between 2021-23, £2,829,000 has been withheld from the academy.

In a letter by staff, they said: “We have made numerous attempts to resolve this issue through dialogue and negotiation with the trust.

Mid Sussex parliamentary candidates attended the meeting and pledged their support (Image: National Education Union South East Region)

“So far the CEO of the trust has still not met with us and our concerns have not been resolved.

“As a result, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to take strike action to force the trust to resolve these issues.”

A meeting was held on June 25 by the south-east branch of the NEU for Burgess Hill Academy parents and the community at Cyprus Hall.

Mid Sussex parliamentary candidates Alison Bennett, David Rowntree and Kristy Adams also attended the meeting and pledged support for the cause.