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Teachers are striking at Castle Community College, Mill Road, Deal

Teachers have taken to a picket line in the first of three days of strikes at Castle Community College in Deal due to "unacceptable working practices".

Members of the teaching union NASUWT will not work today, Tuesday, October 21, or Wednesday, November 5.

The group's general secretary Chris Keates said: "The NASUWT has made every effort to secure an agreed way forward and avoid strike action through negotiation.

Castle Community College
Castle Community College

"So far little tangible progress has been made. We are committed to a negotiated resolution and avoiding further strike action.

"Our members are all dedicated and committed, but they have been left with no choice but to make this strong protest.

"The ball is now in the employer's court."

Mark Dickinson, NASUWT national executive member for Kent, added: "Our members have no wish to disrupt pupils' education but have been left with no choice.

"The wellbeing and learning of our young people remain our priority and we aim to limit the impact upon them..." - Elias Achillios

"As professionals, teachers are entitled to have their concerns listened to seriously and addressed. That is all it will take to avoid further action."

Elias Achillios, education director at Schools Company which runs the school, said: "The Governing Body and leadership of the college have made a commitment to keeping the college fully open to students without any Health & Safety risks."

He confirmed the college is open as usual.

"Arrangements have been made for the supervision and teaching of all classes on Mill Road and Salisbury Road sites affected by this action," he said.

"I should like to reassure parents that the wellbeing and learning of our young people remain our priority and that we aim limit the impact upon them of the action which is taking place."

A second - and ongoing form of industrial action - is being adopted by teaching staff at the school. Those who have to use their breaks and lunchtimes to travel from one site to another have been instructed by their union not to travel at these times from now on. Their stand began on Tuesday.

Mr Achillios added: "Arrangements have been put into place to make sure that students do not have their learning adversely affected in any way."

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