Fears for pupils as school strike runs into its ninth week

Parents have told of their worries over the impact of nine weeks of industrial action at their daughters' school.

Teaching has been disrupted at the all-girls Grays Convent High School in Essex since the start of May, when restructuring proposals were announced by the school.

The Department for Education has called for those involved "to work together to resolve this situation as quickly as possible".

The school told the BBC it would not be issuing a statement.

Courtney Freese, whose daughter is in Year 10, said she had struggled in recent mock GCSE exams as some questions related to material she had not been taught.

"For a hardworking, very driven young girl, the impact has really been profound," he said.

"It's taken her routine away from her… it's affected her confidence, it's affected friendships she's had – she's not happy with not going to school."

Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was considering removing her daughter from the school unless the situation was resolved.

"The teachers are good, they teach well, their curriculum is fantastic, but all of a sudden everything [is] in disarray," she said.

"It is very frustrating… for my entire family."

The BBC has been told that lessons have been held as normal on Mondays and Fridays, as have GCSE and mock exams, with strike action taking place for other year groups on Tuesdays to Thursdays.

Industrial action began on 2 May after the school – where the finances are understood to be under strain – announced restructuring proposals.

Members of staff have said the proposals included an increased workload for teachers, and payments for extra Teaching and Learning Responsibilities being removed or decreased.

"The one thing that we want to do is be inside school, delivering a quality education for students, and it's just been really upsetting that it's got to this stage," said one.

Another said there had been "almost an unwillingness [by the school] to admit that this has been done in the worst possible way instead of working with us".

Staff added there had been a lack of response from Thurrock Council to concerns raised by them and parents.

A spokesperson for the council said it was "working with the Grays Convent School to make sure that all pupils receive an appropriate education".

They added: "Matters relating to the industrial action are between the school and the representative bodies, and are not something the council can comment on."

Jen Craft, the Labour MP for Thurrock and a former pupil at the school, said the situation was "really upsetting", and she had written to the education secretary.

"I think it's been really, really poorly handled," she told the BBC.

"[The school] say they've engaged with the staff, they've engaged with trade unions, [but] I would question to what extent that has happened, particularly given the kind of correspondence I've had from staff and from parents."

The Department for Education said: "We urge those involved to work together to resolve this situation as quickly as possible and minimise the impact on education".

Kim Vollerthun, eastern regional organiser for the NASUWT union, said there had been "no meaningful consultation with staff and no assessment of the impact these changes will have on teacher workload or on the educational provision provided to pupils".

"Teachers at Grays Convent are being expected to continue to do the same work for less pay," he said, adding that the school had "continued to attempt to force through its plans".

Paul McLaughlin, regional secretary for the National Education Union, said its members "do not take the decision to strike lightly".

He added: "There was an overwhelming view… that the restructuring proposals, as originally presented, would be damaging to the school, its staff,and the quality of education provided to students."

The BBC has been told that Acas has been brought in to mediate between the school and the unions.

Grays Convent High School, an all-girls Roman Catholic school which is in the Diocese of Brentwood, has a capacity of 620 but currently has more than 650 registered pupils.

The Gaudete Trust, a Catholic trust which supports a number of schools across the country, including Grays Convent High School, said the situation was being given "urgent attention".

"Working with the school, we intend to ensure that the current difficulties are stabilised before the end of term," a spokesperson said, adding it had asked unions for "an urgent meeting".

The trust has asked "an independent investigator to consider any parent complaints", and the spokesperson added it was "a distressing time for our students, parents and carers, and staff".

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