TEACHERS and staff at Newquay Tretherras came out on strike for a second day following their dispute with their employer.

The members of the National Education Union (NEU) were joined by parents and grandparents of students outside the secondary school.

They voted to take industrial action after “losing patience” with the Cornwall Education Learning Trust (CELT), which runs the school, for “not respecting many aspects of the school teachers pay and conditions document.”

Members are looking for resolutions in various areas including workload, over concerns the list of administrative tasks not to be completed by teachers is not fully respected and they are also demanding the Trust implements new health and safety policies.

Hundreds of pupils missed school for a second day as Newquay Tretherras closed to Year 9 and 10.

The academy was open to Year 7, 8 and 11 whilst Year 12 and Year 13 students were welcome to use the KS5 facilities to study and attend any lessons that are on.

The Cornwall Education Learning Trust has also been notified that there will be three days of strikes next week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Head of year at Newquay Tretherras Sue Ollerenshaw, who is also the NEU representative at the school, said: “There is a tremendous show of solidarity here with teaching staff and members of the NEU.

“I want to make it clear that we are ready to talk to resolve the dispute.

“We have been ready to talk the whole time including over the half term.

“What we are looking for is better working conditions for our teaching staff across the Trust.

“We want it to be better for all members of the teaching provision.

“We are positive we can reach a resolution due to our show of strength.”

Teacher Phil Strugnell, the head of art and photography at Newquay Tretherras, added: “Steps forward have been made with Dan Morrow, the Trust lead.

“I think the fact he has come to the table and spoken has been positive.

“There are five issues we are challenging and one has been resolved this year.

“There are 23 admin tasks which teachers should not do such has phone calls home about attendance for example.

“It’s positive and moving forward.

“I live and work in the community. I have got grandparents out here on the picket line, which is inspiring.

“If anyone wants to join us on the picket line they are welcome.

“I want to be back in the classroom teaching. I have students doing their exams and I’m not there helping them.

“This dispute is not just about this school is about all CELT schools.”

Martin Dixon, the president of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly NEU, said: “The community has given us tremendous support.

“We have got parents and grandparents here on the picket line.

“The support from the community has been fantastic but what has also been fantastic is how united the staff have been.

“There have been loads of people supporting the picket line and there is a determination to see the dispute through.

“We want to make Newquay Tretherras a better place for staff and students.”

The National Education Union (NEU) said 92 per cent of teachers voted in favour of strike action, reflecting the “strength of feeling about the way they are treated by their employer.”

Newquay Tretherras headteacher Gemma Harries refutes the figure stating 69 per cent of National Education Union (NEU) teaching members at Tretherras are “considering” strike action, which equates to 55 teaching staff out of a possible 217 staff.

The headteacher stated they were informed industrial action would take place despite Trust executive leaders’ negotiations with NEU officers had resulted in “positive outcomes and progress.”

A spokesperson for the Cornwall Education Learning Trust told the Voice: “Negotiations with the NEU are ongoing and have so far, resulted in positive outcomes and progress on reaching agreements in principle.

“However, due to an unfortunate delay in timelines for these discussions, some industrial action will now commence.

“We have communicated alternative arrangements with parents and carers, particularly where the school will be closed to some year groups and will provide the necessary support and resource to minimise disruption to teaching and learning.

“The wellbeing of both students and staff is a key priority for the Trust and we will continue working closely with union representatives to identify pragmatic and innovative solutions to resolve the situation and reach a negotiated settlement as soon as possible.”