Staff at a Warwick secondary school have begun their first day of striking.

Union chiefs say the staff at Aylesford School are walking out to help save their jobs.

Much of the staff at the Tapping Way school are made up of Members of the National Education Union (NEU) which is planning the strike for up to six days, with today (4 June) marking the first.

The strikes come after possible redundancies were announced, with staff returning from the Easter holidays to hear about a restructure consultation which could have seen 11 redundancies.

This reportedly included teachers of music, drama and PE.

Union chiefs say the staff at Aylesford School are walking out to help save their jobs (image via Nub News)

Speaking to Nub News, Simon O'Hara, assistant branch secretary of Warwickshire NEU, shared: "I think we all accept that for the past few years there has been a developing crisis at Aylesford School.

"I think that the management and the school bear a heavy responsibility for where we are at the moment.

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"The school has gone through a number of unhelpful changes, a number of different heads, a number of different behaviour leads and so on.

"Frankly it's been utterly unacceptable for the staff here and more importantly for the student community..."

Further potential strike dates have been earmarked while negotiations continue (image via Nub News)

With reference to management's planned cuts to staff and the proposition that it will allow a rich curriculum to be offered to the children with better opportunities... O'Hara argued: "It is very difficult when you take a schooling crisis and decimated staff, to then try to argue this will put the school in a better position."

"We say, enough is enough!

"Is it too late to undo all of the damage that has been done with this 'so called' consultation, this restructure?"

Addressing a meeting planned for tomorrow (5 June), where strikes and the school's position will be further discussed, O'Hara added: "We will continue to meet the employer in good faith and we will meet them tomorrow."

Further potential strike dates have been earmarked while negotiations continue.

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A statement from Aylesford said: "The school remains committed to stabilising its financial position and improving the quality of education for its pupils.

"While we recognise the dedication and commitment of staff, our priority is to secure the long-term future of the school and rebuild confidence within the community.

"We do not believe that industrial action will have a positive impact on pupils or the wider school community.

"We encourage the NEU and its members to engage constructively with us to reach a resolution and support the shared goal of school improvement."

Much of the staff at the Tapping Way school are made up of Members of the National Education Union (NEU) (image via Nub News)