Further dates announced for SEN school strike over suspended staff member

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Support staff at Ash Field Academy, a specialist school in Evington, have already taken to the picket line for three days during April and May.

Now, the UNISON union has announced members will also walk out between June 3 and June 5, with further dates in summer also being discussed.

The industrial action follows the suspension of teaching assistant Tom Barker, who UNISON argues has been “victimised” because of his role as a trade union representative.

Mr Barker was suspended in October 2025, four working days after helping to organise a vote to strike over staffing cuts.

Discovery Schools Academy Trust (DSAT) deny the two events are related, and strongly refute any suggestion that they would penalise staff for trade union activity.

However, they are not able to share the nature of the complaint against Mr Barker, who has not been at the school since his suspension.

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The campaign has attracted attention from hundreds of supporters, with Leicester MP Shockat Adam standing with strikers.

Attending the picket line on the first day of action, he said: “Workers’ rights don’t exist without action to defend them.

“I stand with those on strike against union busting and was proud to join the picket line in solidarity.”

UNISON members on the picket line. Image via UNISON.

However, the decision hasn’t come without criticism, with a former staff member recently speaking out about the disruption the last strike caused for pupils.

In response, an Ash Field UNISON member who wishes to remain anonymous said: “The last thing we want to do is negatively impact the lives of our students and their families.

“But the truth is that striking appears to be the only language the trust responds to.”

DSAT said they are doing everything possible to keep the school open and maintain stability for students and families during this period.

They add they respect the legal right of staff to take industrial action and are committed to a constructive dialogue with the union.

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