Walkout at Preston Manor All Through Foundation School cancelled following negotiations over new contracts

Staff at a Wembley secondary school have called off a strike over plans to convert to an academy.

Workers at Preston Manor All Through Foundation School has planned a mass walkout on Wednesday in protest at the proposal to adopt the controversial status.

They were unhappy at the proposed decision to become a Co-Operative Academy despite a vote of 85 per cent against the conversion.

Today (Monday), union bosses announced the action was cancelled following negotiations over their members new terms and conditions once the school becomes an academy.

Jean Roberts, Brent Teachers Secretary, said: “Members have been solid in their determination to oppose this conversion, first voting overwhelmingly in the staff ballot and then as NUT members voting for action when your views were just ignored.

“We are pleased, however, that we were able to negotiate the best possible terms for staff. e expect to receive all these concessions in writing in the next few days, as the NUT ballot is still live, and any reversal on what has been agreed would mean members again being called to take strike action.”

Matthew Lantos, school headteacher, told the Times he believed the decision to converts present ‘the best course of action for current and future pupils’.