Teachers Strike at Two Greater Manchester Primary Schools Over Claims of Daily Violence

Teachers at two primary schools in Greater Manchester have begun a nine day strike, saying they have been pushed to industrial action by what they describe as a growing culture of violence and a failure by school leaders to protect staff and pupils.

Members of the NASUWT at Ravensfield Primary School and Lily Lane Primary School say they face almost daily attacks by pupils, including physical assaults that have left staff feeling unsafe at work. The stoppage, which runs from this week until 22 January, has left many parents confused and concerned about the disruption to learning.

The union says the decision to strike followed repeated warnings that were ignored. Teachers claim incidents of aggression have increased in frequency and severity, affecting both staff and other children. They argue that existing behaviour management systems have failed to address the problem and that support for teachers dealing with violent incidents has been inadequate.

Matt Wrack, the NASUWT’s general secretary, described the action as a declaration of emergency. He said teachers had reached breaking point after months of raising concerns without meaningful change. Wrack accused school and trust leaders of failing in their basic duty of care, saying staff are entitled to a safe working environment and pupils deserve classrooms where learning can take place without fear.

Wrack also alleged that teachers who reported incidents were met with intimidation and disciplinary threats rather than support. He said this created a culture where problems were downplayed or concealed, leaving staff isolated and vulnerable. According to the union, such responses discouraged reporting and allowed unsafe conditions to persist.

Parents have reacted with a mixture of sympathy and frustration. Some said they understood teachers’ concerns but worried about the impact on children’s education, particularly for families with limited childcare options. Others said they were shocked by the scale of the problem, claiming they had not been fully informed about the level of violence within the schools.

The strike comes amid a wider debate about behaviour and safety in schools across England. Data in recent years has shown a rise in exclusions, including among very young pupils, and teachers’ unions have warned that unmet special educational needs, mental health pressures and reduced support services are contributing to challenging behaviour.

Education experts say primary schools are increasingly dealing with complex needs that were once more commonly associated with older age groups. They argue that teachers require specialist support, training and resources to manage these challenges safely, rather than being left to cope alone.

School leaders and the local trust have not publicly detailed their response to the allegations, but have previously said they take staff welfare seriously and are committed to working with unions to resolve disputes. The NASUWT has said it remains open to talks but insists that concrete measures to protect staff must be put in place before the strike can be resolved.

For teachers at Ravensfield and Lily Lane, the action is seen as a last resort. Union representatives say staff are deeply committed to their pupils and would not take such a step lightly. They argue that the disruption caused by the strike reflects the seriousness of the situation inside the classrooms.

As the stoppage continues, pressure is mounting on school leaders and local authorities to intervene. The outcome may have implications beyond the two schools, as unions warn that similar conditions exist elsewhere and that more action could follow if safety concerns are not addressed.