Teachers at two primary schools in Greater Manchester have begun a series of strikes, declaring that a dangerous 'culture of violence' by some pupils has reached 'untenable levels'. Staff at Lily Lane Primary School in Manchester and Ravensfield Primary School in Tameside walked out on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, with further strike days planned throughout the month.
A 'Culture of Violence' Forcing School Lockdowns
According to the NASUWT teachers' union, which is coordinating the industrial action, the situation in both schools has become critical. At Ravensfield Primary, staff report incidents where pupils have brought knives to school, thrown furniture, and physically assaulted teachers by biting, kicking, hitting, and spitting. The aggression has been so severe that the school has been forced into lockdown on occasions, with fire doors secured after pupils were found climbing balconies and roaming the site unsupervised.
The picture is similarly alarming at Lily Lane Primary. The union states that assaults on both staff and other pupils have become an 'almost daily' occurrence. Teachers have expressed fears that some children are now too 'fearful' to attend school due to the hostile environment.
Union Accuses Trust of Ignoring Concerns and Punishing Staff
The NASUWT alleges that repeated warnings from teaching staff about the escalating violence and the lack of support for pupils with complex special educational needs were ignored by school leadership. Furthermore, the union claims that teachers who dared to raise concerns faced suspension or non-renewal of their contracts.
Both schools are managed by the Changing Lives in Collaboration (CLiC) Trust. Matt Wrack, NASUWT General Secretary, accused the trust of failing to provide a safe environment and of seeking to 'intimidate and punish staff who report concerns'. He described the simultaneous strike at two schools within the same trust as an 'unprecedented event' and a 'declaration of emergency'.
NASUWT executive members for Greater Manchester, Rachel Knight and Jac Casson, said the crisis was having a 'devastating' impact, causing teachers physical injuries alongside severe stress and anxiety.
Trust Response and Planned Strike Action
Jo Ashcroft, Chief Executive of the CLiC Trust, stated that pupil and staff safety was its 'very highest priority' and that arrangements were in place to keep schools open during strikes. She expressed disappointment that strike action was taken so soon after a ballot, 'without adequate opportunity to respond to members' concerns'. The trust said it had engaged the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), but the union declined the offer of conciliation.
Despite this, the NASUWT has confirmed teachers will continue their walkout. Further strike days are scheduled for:
- Thursday 8 January 2026
- Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14, and Thursday 15 January 2026
- Tuesday 20, Wednesday 21, and Thursday 22 January 2026
The dispute highlights a growing national concern over behaviour, support for special educational needs, and the safety of both staff and pupils within the primary education system.
