Teachers at the John Roan school in Maze Hill have called off tomorrow’s planned two-day strike action after a successful campaign against academisation.

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) were balloted after the school’s governing body set up a working group to consider adopting academy status.

Today the NUT announced tomorrow’s industrial action had been suspended, after headteacher Nadine Powrie issued a statement confirming the school would not consider becoming an academy for at least six months.

The ballot came after parents of John Roan pupils launched a campaign against academisation, and set up a petition which has received more than 1,000 signatures.

The NUT has argued converting to a multi-academy trust would go against the interests of the school and the local community.

Responding to the headteacher’s statement, Tim Woodcock, Greenwich NUT Branch Secretary said he is pleased with the outcome.

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The John Roan Resists meeting on March 1. 

He said: “We were told that academisation was inevitable and we should quietly accept the privatisation through the back door of our community schools. Well, we have proved them wrong.

“We would like to thank the fantastic support of parents and their campaign John Roan Resists alongside the passion and commitment the students have shown in campaigning actively against the threat of academisation.”

Sixth Form students have also played a role in fighting for their future with activities such as leafleting at parents’ evenings in a bid to make their voices heard.

Martin Powell Davies, London Regional Secretary for the NUT who was involved in negotiations with the school, congratulated NUT members at the John Roan.

He added: “Their campaign has made sure that Governors have had to pause and reconsider.

“Of course, this may turn out to be only a temporary step back but it is still a significant one.”

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After the announcement of potential strike action, chair of the John Roan governing body Patrick Cooper wrote to parents.

He said they were surprised by the announcement because no decision had been made.

Mr Cooper wrote: “We will continue our efforts to find a way to prevent this unfounded disruption to the running of the school.

"We regret the inconvenience that this strike action will cause, both to you and especially to your children’s education."