A THREE-day strike by teachers at a Blackburn school over performance related pay is due to go ahead this week.

Union chiefs said despite hours spent in talks, the position of bosses at Pleckgate High School remains ‘entrenched’.

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A planned strike by some staff, which would have forced the cancellation of classes for years eight, nine and 10, almost two weeks ago was averted at the last minute.

The issue centres around pay and appraisal policy with teaching union NASUWT claiming some of their members were denied a legitimate pay rise.

The walkouts are due to take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with teachers expected to form a picket line outside the school gates.

Union bosses claim teachers at the Pleckgate Road school have been set ‘near impossible appraisal targets’ and are ‘being set up to fail’.

They said they have suggested several solutions to the school but have been turned down and despite unions postponing strike action for two weeks, the school has ‘failed to enter into any meaningful negotiations’.

Claire Ward, NASUWT negotiating secretary, said: “Despite having spent hours in talks with the school and the Trust, their position has remained entrenched – in one breath wanting to adhere rigidly to their policies, in the next, breaching those same policies with little or no regard for the welfare of their teachers.

“Teachers are hardworking and dedicated professionals who want the best for all of their pupils.

“One teacher reported coming into school to work with pupils on Saturdays but this dedication has been snubbed by the school in its refusal to honour their pay award. It is impossible to negotiate when very real concerns of our members are being completely ignored.”

The union added nationally teacher’s salaries have fallen an average of 25 per cent behind comparable professions. Pleckgate, which has more than 1,000 pupils, is run by the Education Partnership Trust after becoming an academy in February. The school was unavailable for comment.