St Aloysius teachers strike over building concerns

Extraordinary scenes at St Aloysius RC College in Highgate this week saw teaching staff forming a picket line outside the school in protest against an "inadequate" new teaching block.

Building work at the school took place as part of phase one of the national  Building Schools for the Future investment programme currently rolling out across Islington schools. Staff at the school are objecting to the standard of work carried out by contractors Balfour Beatty, claiming the buildings are not fit for purpose. Health and safety concerns have been raised by both school staff and independent observers.

The £17million rebuild has left the boys' secondary school with fewer classrooms, and particular concerns have been raised about the Design and Technology rooms. "The facilities provided by the

Islington BSF contract are in some cases inadequate and in other

instances totally unacceptable, and an independent report highlights the

significant problems with the Design Technology rooms," said school head Tom Mannion.

Teachers at St Aloysius have made it clear they are prepared to continue action in the coming weeks if their concerns are not resolved.