This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-38678269
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Derby teaching assistant strikes 'hurting special needs families' | Derby teaching assistant strikes 'hurting special needs families' |
(6 days later) | |
A pay dispute between teaching assistants and Derby council is having a negative effect on children in the city's special schools, say parents. | A pay dispute between teaching assistants and Derby council is having a negative effect on children in the city's special schools, say parents. |
Strike action has been taken over new TA contracts, which could see them lose about £6,000 a year, says Unison. | Strike action has been taken over new TA contracts, which could see them lose about £6,000 a year, says Unison. |
Some parents claim city council leader Ranjit Banwait told head teachers the protests were having "little impact on children and families". | |
The council said Mr Banwait "strongly denied" making any such statement. | |
Parents of children with special needs said their lives were being turned upside down by the action. | |
More on this story and other news in Derbyshire | More on this story and other news in Derbyshire |
The long-running row has led to strikes across schools in Derby in October, December and January, with more being planned next week. | The long-running row has led to strikes across schools in Derby in October, December and January, with more being planned next week. |
Special needs schools are particularly vulnerable to disruption because of a lack of specialist staff, which volunteers cannot easily replace, according to families. | Special needs schools are particularly vulnerable to disruption because of a lack of specialist staff, which volunteers cannot easily replace, according to families. |
It has forced some special schools to close early, meaning parents have often had to pick up children - some with complex needs - in the middle of the working day. | It has forced some special schools to close early, meaning parents have often had to pick up children - some with complex needs - in the middle of the working day. |
Gemma Walker, whose son has autism, said the disruption has caused "challenging behaviour" in some of the children. | Gemma Walker, whose son has autism, said the disruption has caused "challenging behaviour" in some of the children. |
"[The children] don't know whether they are coming or going," said Mrs Walker, whose son attends St Andrew's school. | "[The children] don't know whether they are coming or going," said Mrs Walker, whose son attends St Andrew's school. |
Jackie Cox is one of the parents who alleged Mr Banwait said in memo to head teachers that the disruption was having little effect. She has a 10-year-old son who is a pupil at Ivy House special school in Littleover. | |
She said there were difficulties facing parents of children with "severe medical complex needs" during industrial action, and it had an impact on their education and family life. | She said there were difficulties facing parents of children with "severe medical complex needs" during industrial action, and it had an impact on their education and family life. |
However, Simon Maingay, whose son is at Portway Junior School, in Allestree, said: "[Teaching assistants] need to be grateful they've got a job. | However, Simon Maingay, whose son is at Portway Junior School, in Allestree, said: "[Teaching assistants] need to be grateful they've got a job. |
"They're brilliant guys, they do a great job, but the council aren't going to budge on this." | "They're brilliant guys, they do a great job, but the council aren't going to budge on this." |
Unison spokesman Oliver Coppard said staff at special needs schools were "amongst the hardest hit because of the council's decision not to recognise their extra qualifications and responsibilities". | Unison spokesman Oliver Coppard said staff at special needs schools were "amongst the hardest hit because of the council's decision not to recognise their extra qualifications and responsibilities". |
"No staff ever want to strike," he said. | "No staff ever want to strike," he said. |
City council spokesman Janie Berry said: "We are working with all of our head teachers to ensure that they are making use of all the resources they have to minimise disruption." | City council spokesman Janie Berry said: "We are working with all of our head teachers to ensure that they are making use of all the resources they have to minimise disruption." |
Previous version
1
Next version