TEACHERS and support staff at St Francis C of E Primary School in Falmouth took to the picket line on Friday, July 4 in the first of six planned strike days.

Around 50 supporters joined the picket, whistles at the ready, banners and flags dancing overhead, and upbeat tunes setting a carnival-like mood.

Parents, grandparents, local residents, ex-colleagues and passers-by stopped to show their support for staff with waves, tooting car horns and shouts of encouragement.

The staff are conveying a clear message - “happier, healthier staff mean even better learning for every child.”

St Francis C of E NEU Staff 2.
Banners were held high on the day

By taking this action, St Francis staff are hoping to secure:

  • Better communication between leadership and both parents and teachers.
  • Stronger well-being safeguards, so teachers can focus on teaching.
  • Supportive observations that help teachers develop their practice.
  • Clear structures for behaviour management and safeguarding.

One teacher at the school said: “The sooner the Kernow Learning Trust makes a serious offer that meets the demands, the sooner we can get back to the classroom - stronger than ever.”

Additional strikes are taking place on July 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16.