Shrewsbury college hoping strikes are at an end
Shrewsbury Sixth Form College today said that a series of strikes have affected classes and led to disruption for students are at an end for the time being.
Over the past few weeks members of the National Union of Teachers have walked out, leading to lost teaching hours for students approaching their exams.
A strike was held yesterday but the college said today it was hoped that would be the last.
No further action is planned due to next week being half term and the week after being a study week for students.
Second year students at the college, which has campuses on Welsh and English Bridge, have now left following the conclusion of their examinations.
The NUT today said it could not rule out further action but said it was set to hold further talks with college principal Martin Ward.
College spokeswoman Laurina Rushworth said: "We have been in discussions with the unions to keep disruption to a minimum.
"At present there are no further dates for proposed strike action.
"Next week is half term and the week after is a study week and we have not been notified of any proposed strike dates beyond that.
"Parents, staff and students are kept informed of all developments."
One parent, who asked not to be named, fears her child could miss out on his university place because dozens of lessons have been cancelled.
She said: "I'm really concerned, I have been to the picket lines and I understand their cause. But my son has missed out on 27 lessons because of this.
"If he gets one grade lower by a few marks, he could miss out on his university place."
One student studying at the college said: "We were promised that all areas of college would be open during the strikes last week. I, and many others, turned up expecting to have somewhere to study to try and compensate for our missed lessons only to find that Cirrus House was closed due to the strike action."
The strikes took place due to proposed changes to management and teaching structure at the college.
Heather Stretton, NUT regional officer for the Midlands, said: "We cannot rule out of further strike action in the future but we are due to hold further talks with the principal of the college in June in the hope of resolving the issue.
"Members of the union are very concerned about the effects of restructuring at the college on the cutting of links between curriculum areas and how the college will run."
