The National Education Union says more than 90% of its members at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts sixth form college, high school and primary school are in favour of strike action.
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The National Education Union (NEU) is planning industrial action at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) sixth form college and its associated primary and high school over health and safety concerns.
The NEU says more than 90% of its members voted yes in an indicative ballot.
According to local press reports staff have raised concerns about leaks and mouldy carpets and walls in the sixth form college building, with buckets being used to catch water coming in to the building.
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The union told the Liverpool Echo the schools are under scrutiny due to “ineffective and inefficient” management practices that have resulted in “excessive workloads, unnecessary work-related stress” and “serious health and safety failures that could potentially harm staff and pupils”.
“The secondary building is unfit for purpose, lacking basic amenities such as a staffroom, drinking water, and internet access,” Bora Oktas, NEU regional officer, told the BBC.
“Contractors are allowed entry without proper checks, leading to safeguarding concerns.”
A formal ballot of NEU members is expected in September, with the strike action scheduled for mid-October.
The sixth form college, which opened in 2016 and was awarded an 'outstanding' rating in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2019, is on the same campus as LIPA, the performing arts institute founded by Sir Paul McCartney.
LIPA is a sponsor and trustee of LIPA Multi Academy Trust, which comprises the primary, high school and sixth form college. However, the two institutions are separate entities.
Extension planned
Plans are underway to extend the sixth form building despite the ongoing concerns over the state of the premises.
An application for an 8,000 square foot extension to the performing arts building was submitted to Liverpool City Council in November 2023.
The extension is part of a move to accommodate more students. LIPA Multi Academy Trust’s annual report, covering the year up to 31 August 2023, says the college was successful in its bid for £3.995m from the Department for Educations Post 16 Capacity Fund to support the development. It adds that “positive discussions about the expansion have taken place with both the local authority and the Education and Skills Funding Agency”.
The annual report says LIPA Multi Academy Trust generated income of £5.4m in the year up to 31 August 2023, and expenditure of almost £6m, resulting in a revenue fund deficit of £559,189, compared with a surplus of £180,629 the year prior.
A spokesperson for LIPA Multi Academy Trust said: “We recently met with NEU’s representatives on 20 June to share information and listen to concerns. We advised that we had already resolved many of the existing concerns and are currently working to address the remainder. We are confident that any outstanding issues will be promptly resolved.”
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