TENSIONS are rising at a primary school where reports of vandalism, intimidation and a vote of no confidence in the headteacher all emerged during a third week of strike action by dinner ladies.
Pupils at Ladywood in Grimethorpe were forced to start late on Tuesday after a padlock on the school gates was vandalised.
Parents linked the incident to strike action over a proposal to make nine dinner ladies redundant in response to a severe budget shortfall.
Several parents contacted the Chronicle complaining of intimidating behaviour from those supporting the strike.
One parent told the Chronicle: “I know some teaching assistants who have been threatened for not getting involved with the strike and we’ve even had people referring to the miners’ strike and trying to compare the two scenarios. It’s not on.”
Another said: “I’ve seen threats being made to members of school staff who are not participating in the strike action. I agree that more money needs to be pumped in to give our children the best start but the intimidation and threats need to stop.”
Parent Sally Clarke, 39, of Park Road, has circulated a petition calling for a vote of no confidence in headteacher Claire Grainger which has garnered more than 130 signatures.
“There have not been enough members of staff on so children who require extra support are being sent home at lunchtime,” she said.
“If she can’t cope without dinner ladies for the six days we’ve been striking, how is she expecting to cope if dinner ladies are made redundant?”
A Barnsley Council spokesman said: “The council has full confidence in the headteacher and continues to be supportive of the school.
“The school has declared a significant budget deficit and the governors have recently met to view alternative proposals. A meeting with the school, the trade unions and council officers has been arranged for next week to consult on these alternative proposals.
“We currently have no additional proposals put forward by the trade unions at this time, however, we’re hoping that these will be brought forward at the meeting next week.
“We appreciate that this is a difficult time for those involved and we respect the trade unions’ right to take industrial action.
“The safety, well-being and educational needs of the children will always be our main priority and we ask that people respect this.”
