Staff at troubled high to strike in 'pressure' protest

Members of the NUT, NASUWT and the ATL are set to take part in

industrial action at Farnley Park High School after talks with

Education Leeds yesterday failed to resolve the dispute.

Farnley Park executive headteacher John Townsley has, however, criticised the unions for failing to raise their concerns directly with the school's leadership.

Steve White, an executive member for the NASUWT, said the unions did not want to disrupt pupils' education but felt they had no choice other than to highlight the "excessive pressure" being placed on their members by the school's executive head and management.

Tim Hales the NUT's assistant Leeds branch secretary said the fact the three unions had joined forces for the dispute was "unprecedented" and demonstrated the strength of feeling among staff. The unions also claim 20 teachers are leaving this summer with many citing Farnley Park's working environment in their exit interviews.

Mr Townsley said no staff had made formal complaints to the three teaching unions over their treatment.

He said the school's position had been "dire and perilous" when he took over and that the Ofsted inspection report on Farnley Park, published in June, demonstrated progress had been made at the school this year.

Inspectors found the school inadequate and gave it a notice to improve. But their report said that "notable improvements" had been made since the autumn term with pupils' behaviour now satisfactory.

Mr Townsley is headteacher of Morley High and was brought into Farnley Park in September, last year, following the death of the school's former head, Dr Bill Pullen.

Farnley Park High will remain open today and Mr Townsley promised the school would provide an "exciting and memorable day for all students".