Strike action at 20 West Midlands schools ends

Strike action at 20 West Midlands schools has ended after an agreement was reached between the National Education Union (NEU) and the trust that oversees the schools.

More than 800 staff members at the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) who are part of the NEU had been on strike for nine days in January, which was expected to be extended across a further nine days in February.

A statement released by the ATLP said as part of an agreement with the NEU, it had agreed to "pause all current restructuring and redundancy consultations".

It comes a day after the trust announced its CEO, Richard Gill, had taken a "leave of absence" from his role for a "period of time".

In a statement released on Thursday, a trust spokesperson added that ATLP would "take every step possible so that any future compulsory redundancies are a last resort".

They said while staff restructuring would be paused, the NEU did recognise "the significant financial challenges facing ATLP" and agreed that "action must be taken to ensure the financial recovery of the trust".

The agreement also means all ATLP schools will be open next week and beyond to all children and young people.

Going forward, the ATLP and NEU said it would be meeting weekly to "assess the financial situation, agree the plan to tackle the deficit, and monitor progress".

The spokesperson said: "NEU representatives and ATLP leaders agree that this transparent, open and collaborative approach will mean the financial challenges can be addressed most effectively.

"We will actively seek staff and parent input to the decision-making process."

Anna Seward Primary, Lichfield

Coton Green Primary, Tamworth

Curdworth Primary, Sutton Coldfield

Deykin Avenue Junior and Infant, Witton, Birmingham

Hill West Primary, Sutton Coldfield

Mere Green Primary, Four Oaks

Osborne Primary, Erdington, Birmingham

Paget Primary, Pype Hayes, Birmingham

Scotch Orchard Primary, Lichfield

Slade Primary, Erdington

St Chad's CE Primary, Lichfield

St Michael's C of E Primary, Lichfield

William MacGregor Primary School, Tamworth

Two Gates Primary School, Tamworth

The Coleshill School, Warwickshire

The Royal Sutton School, Sutton Coldfield

Nether Stowe School, Lichfield, Staffordshire

Stockland Green School, Erdington, Birmingham

The Arthur Terry School, Sutton Coldfield

West Coventry Academy, Coventry

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.