Teachers at Nishkam High School in Handsworth, Birmingham—an institution rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted—have voted to strike for the remainder of the summer term and into the next academic year. The strike is a response to contentious new curriculum alignment plans proposed by the Nishkam School Trust, which teachers believe will negatively affect students and erode their professional autonomy.
Central to staff grievances are reductions in lesson time for key subjects; year 9 science classes stand to lose two lessons per week, triple science provision will be cut by three lessons weekly, and Key Stage 3 maths will have one less lesson. Moreover, the history and geography departments are set to switch to different exam boards, disrupting teacher expertise and established teaching methods. The introduction of compulsory citizenship courses is also expected to limit students’ GCSE subject choices.
Teachers argue that these changes have been rushed and poorly managed, with insufficient consultation. Despite concerns from subject heads, the school administration has insisted the revisions proceed without delay. The National Education Union (NEU) members at Nishkam emphasize pride in their current curriculum’s success, which contributed to the school’s ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating. They maintain that the new plans would disadvantage their students and have thus taken the difficult step to strike.
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In response, the Nishkam School Trust states that the curriculum alignment aims to unify expertise across its schools, ensuring pupils receive a “strong, carefully sequenced and inclusive curriculum.” The trust clarifies that the approach is designed to foster collaboration, improve resource sharing, and reduce unnecessary duplication and workload, without undermining teacher expertise or autonomy.
Since 2019, the trust reports positive outcomes from similar curriculum alignment efforts in its primary schools, which they hope to replicate at the secondary level. Recognizing varying readiness among departments, the trust plans a phased implementation extending up to September 2027, based on professional judgment and subject-specific needs.
While expressing regret over the ongoing strike, the trust respects the legal right to industrial action and commits to maintaining safe and effective school operations. Currently, the school remains open to specific year groups, including SEND and vulnerable pupils, with efforts to minimize disruption to education and end-of-year activities.
The trust affirms its willingness to continue constructive dialogues with staff and union representatives as soon as practical and promises to keep parents and carers informed about operational arrangements.