School closed as teachers strike over safety concerns

Teachers at St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic High School have begun a nine-day strike over concerns about pupil behaviour and workload, forcing the closure of the school to most students. The strike, which started on February 24, will affect Oldham families whose children attend the school on Shaw Road in Rochdale, just over the border from Royton.

NASUWT union members say they feel unsafe at work and have little confidence in how the school is managed. The trust running the school insists it has taken decisive action to address safety concerns and stabilize leadership, but union members say they've been forced into strike action to raise the alarm.

During the strike days, Years 7 to 10 pupils will work from home while Year 11 students must attend for mock exams. The school has told parents it cannot prevent the strike action but remains focused on student safety and education. The strikes are scheduled in three rounds across February and March.

Parents now face arranging childcare for nine strike days, while Year 11 students' exam preparation could be disrupted despite the school remaining open for mocks. The trust says it will continue trying to engage with union members to resolve the dispute, but for now, families must plan around the closures.