Children at a school in Wallasey are set to miss six days of education as teachers strike over health and safety concerns.
The teachers, at Kingsway Primary School, on Ashville Road, claim they have had to flush toilets themselves with buckets of water as there is no running water at the school.
More than 85% of the school’s teachers who are affiliated to the National Education Union (NEU) voted for the strike action, which will see staff walk out on December 10, 15 and 16, as well as January 12, 13 and 14.
Peter Middleman, NEU regional secretary, said there is poor sanitation and hygiene at the school, with the hand washing regime for students is less sophisticated than it should be.
Such fundamental hygiene issues were especially worrying for staff given the need to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Wirral Council said they are 'aware of the situation' at Kingsway Primary School, and are 'working closely with school governors' to try and resolve it.
Mr Middleman added that there were also issues with the management of Covid-19 bubbles and infection outbreaks at the Wallasey school.
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The union official also said that staff who are clinically vulnerable to the virus, including those recovering from cancer and acute respiratory diseases, were denied a risk assessment.
According to Mr Middleman, complaints procedures at the school have also been found wanting. He said that when staff raised concerns to management they were hit with frustration time after time.
His colleague Ian Harris, branch secretary of Wirral NEU, said the school has had over five months to deal with the problems staff have raised.
He added: “Our members have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure the children they teach can access the education they deserve.
“It is unfortunate that during this time they have been hindered by the inaction of the employer and forced to make the difficult decision to move to formal action.
“Members have been raising concerns since May 2020, sadly these went unresolved. A collective grievance was raised on June 15 and ample opportunity has been provided to resolve the concerns.
Addressing the need to strike, Mr Harris added: “The formal ballot is the culmination of a series of complaints that have gone to the school and Wirral Council.
“Our workplace rep has raised further concerns with the school about issues that have arisen in recent weeks.
“The school has failed to take adequate action to resolve these concerns. Clearly, an improvement in the working conditions for staff will lead to better learning conditions for the children.”
A spokesperson for Wirral Council, said: “We are aware of the situation at Kingsway Primary School, and are working closely with school governors to try and resolve it with minimal impact on staff and pupils.
“The council is unable to provide any more information at this stage.”
