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Leicester turban row school closed by strike action | Leicester turban row school closed by strike action |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A strike has closed a school at the centre of a racism row over pictures of the head teacher wearing a turban. | |
Teachers at Leicester's Uplands Junior School have taken action over planned restructuring which could see several teaching assistants lose their jobs. | |
Earlier this month head teacher Tim Luckcock denied being a racist after the pictures of him were posted online. | |
Mr Luckcock blamed some of the reaction on the staffing review, which has also lead to calls for his resignation. | Mr Luckcock blamed some of the reaction on the staffing review, which has also lead to calls for his resignation. |
He posted the pictures on his Facebook account, along with comments he had "nearly gone native". | He posted the pictures on his Facebook account, along with comments he had "nearly gone native". |
Independent investigation | Independent investigation |
However he defended himself and said he felt "misrepresented in the context of a very controversial staffing review". | However he defended himself and said he felt "misrepresented in the context of a very controversial staffing review". |
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said it had been disputing the review for 12 months and the entire teaching staff had passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Luckcock in March. | The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said it had been disputing the review for 12 months and the entire teaching staff had passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Luckcock in March. |
The school's governing body said it had proposed an independent investigation into both the review and staff complaints. | The school's governing body said it had proposed an independent investigation into both the review and staff complaints. |
In a statement, the school said: "The governing body is understandably frustrated that while it is doing everything possible to reach a solution the unions are not prepared to wait for the outcome of the investigation before deciding to strike. | |
"We would question what it is that the unions would have us do differently so as to avoid having to close the school?" | |
But Ian Leaver from the NUT said: "To be honest, I don't see how the investigation can take place openly and be in a place where people feel they can talk with the head still in place. | But Ian Leaver from the NUT said: "To be honest, I don't see how the investigation can take place openly and be in a place where people feel they can talk with the head still in place. |
"I believe he should be suspended pending the outcome of that investigation." | "I believe he should be suspended pending the outcome of that investigation." |
Uplands Infant School is open as normal. | Uplands Infant School is open as normal. |