Staff at a school where a teacher was stabbed have gone on strike in a row over ‘racist and misogynistic’ abuse from ‘gangs’ of male students.

Teachers at Tewkesbury Academy near Gloucester will walk out today and tomorrow following claims they have faced threats of violence, derogatory language and verbal abuse from a handful of students.

A National Education Union (NEU) representative claimed staff members felt ‘really scared’ and believe the situation at the school has become ‘out of control’. 

In 2023, a teacher at Tewkesbury was stabbed by a 15-year-old pupil with a six-inch knife, triggering a huge armed police response. 

The incident saw the school go into lockdown for four hours as teachers barricaded their classrooms and pupils were forced to hide in cupboards. 

Staff fear such an incident could happen again if senior management at the school, which is run by the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), fail to address their concerns about pupil behavior. 

Teachers previously took part in strike action last month after talks broke down, with the NEU claiming head teacher Kathleen McGillycuddy bullied and intimidated staff and called those on strike ‘weirdos’.

Responding to the claims, the CLF said: ‘We do not recognise this description of Tewkesbury Academy as an accurate portrayal of life within our school.’

The federation added that negotiations with the unions ‘remain live’ and it is ‘hopeful that the dispute can now end’. 

National Education Union (NEU) representative Daniel Kebede stands with striking teachers outside Tewkesbury Academy last month

Teachers previously took part in strike action last month over behavioural issues at the school

Tewkesbury Academy said members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) and the National Education Union (NEU) will be striking today and tomorrow.  

In a letter sent to parents Tewkesbury Academy said the unions will be going ahead with the planned strike action today despite the school leadership making ‘a very clear offer that matches all demands’.

In the letter, headteacher Kathleen McGillycuddy said they are ‘very disappointed [..] that despite best efforts the NEU and NASUWT are continuing strike action on Thursday and Friday.

‘Please find attached the Frequently Asked Questions as promised in our parent meetings where I hope you will agree there is a very clear offer that matches all the demands.’

The letter explained that remote work will be set for the majority of students, while year 8 pupils will be in school today and year 11 pupils in school on Friday. It added that the school will be open to assist vulnerable students with additional needs.

Further days of strike action have been planned for March 11, 12 and 13.

Parents of pupils at Tewkesbury have voiced their support for the striking teachers, with one hoping the walkout would bring a ‘change that’s fair and representative of what British education lawfully should be’.

‘Although the strikes inevitably impact my daughter’s learning, I believe the issues being raised are too important to ignore,’ another parent said last month. 

‘A school cannot function well — nor can children thrive — when staff are working under inconsistent policies, unclear expectations, or leadership that does not create a fair and safe environment for everyone.’ 

Maths teacher Jamie Samsom was stabbed by a 15-year-old boy at Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucestershire on July 10, 2023

Schoolchildren are escorted out of Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucesershire, after it was put into lockdown in July 2023

A teacher from Tewkesbury Academy said: ‘There’s an issue with a very vocal minority. Students who the rules don’t seem the apply to.

‘They are doing that [behaviour] because they are not getting the support they deserve and it’s impacting the other students. Fundamentally it comes down to staffing levels. Staff have left and not been replaced.

‘There’s the feeling that the behavioural system is not being applied consistently. So students being disruptive are not being supported by senior management.

‘There is the feeling that people – staff – are being bullied and intimidated at the school. People have lost trust and faith in the system and given up on raising formal grievances.’

A pupil at the school said their learning has been disrupted by the other pupils, and said they witnessed their classmates make ‘Nazi jokes’, as well as seeing female teachers being subjected to misogyny by ‘gangs’ of male students.

In a statement shared online, the student described shocking’ abusive language, saying they have been ‘affected personally by the lack of behaviour policies’.

Tewkesbury Academy said it was not aware of the incident and added it has clear processes for managing such concerns, adding that all parties have previously spoken out against such misinformation.

A spokesperson for Tewkesbury Academy said: ‘We do not recognise these descriptions of Tewkesbury Academy as an accurate portrayal of life within the school. Misinformation of this type has been circulated throughout this dispute, and it is deeply saddening to see dedicated school leaders targeted in this way. 

‘While we recognise there is, and will always be, work to do to ensure behaviour consistently meets our high expectations, we have already put in place a number of new measures. This includes significant investment in our Reset hub, where students with higher needs can learn in a dedicated space, reducing disruption in other classrooms. 

‘Negotiations with the unions remain live. We have been in regular dialogue with representatives of both unions and have made tangible offers in response to all asks. We remain hopeful of an imminent resolution which will enable focus to return to developing Tewkesbury Academy as a safe, happy, and high-performing school where teachers can excel and all students are supported to achieve their full potential.’ 

An NEU spokesperson said: ‘Despite some constructive talks and a reasonable partial offer, management continues to be disparaging about both unions and our members. 

‘This has undermined the positive steps reached this week. As a result of this our members do not feel they can trust CLF to keep them safe in school. 

‘If CLF are serious about ending this dispute, we strongly urge them to put an end to inflammatory communications being sent to the press, parents and wider community.’