{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreih6hiserbzv76mky6huoo6o56bdxkim5qmfmgw6ghxflw5uhrurwi",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:uiwddrbttqbejhbigjksg2af/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnbzibd3rlz2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreidplo6cq74jmyahytuy2fxbsguglajloemqy565zlum6u3u6gietq"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 270963
  },
  "description": "Staff at a Leicester SEN school are to escalate strike action amid growing calls to reinstate a colleague currently under investigation ",
  "path": "/leicester-further-dates-announced-for-sen-school-strike-over-suspended-staff-member-2/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-02T07:00:03.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.leicester.news",
  "tags": [
    "Leicester Gazette",
    "standards code",
    "Learn more",
    "Click here for membership"
  ],
  "textContent": "This story was written by the ****local democracy reporting service (LDRS),**** a BBC-funded scheme to improve the coverage of issues relating to local democracy. The Leicester Gazette has been a partner in the scheme since March 2024, and so receives some stories as part of it.\n\n****Because LDRS reporters are not employed by the Gazette, their stories do not follow our style guide or**** standards code****.****\n\n\n                            Learn more\n                        \n\nSupport staff at Ash Field Academy, a specialist school in Evington, have already taken to the picket line for three days during April and May.\n\nNow, the UNISON union has announced members will also walk out between June 3 and June 5, with further dates in summer also being discussed.\n\nThe 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.\n\nMr Barker was suspended in October 2025, four working days after helping to organise a vote to strike over staffing cuts.\n\nDiscovery Schools Academy Trust (DSAT) deny the two events are related, and strongly refute any suggestion that they would penalise staff for trade union activity.\n\nHowever, they are not able to share the nature of the complaint against Mr Barker, who has not been at the school since his suspension.\n\n## Join the conversation\n\nOur app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community.\n\n\n\n\n__Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__\n\nThe campaign has attracted attention from hundreds of supporters, with Leicester MP Shockat Adam standing with strikers.\n\nAttending the picket line on the first day of action, he said: “Workers’ rights don’t exist without action to defend them.\n\n“I stand with those on strike against union busting and was proud to join the picket line in solidarity.”\n\nUNISON members on the picket line. Image via UNISON.\n\nHowever, the decision hasn’t come without criticism, with a former staff member recently speaking out about the disruption the last strike caused for pupils.\n\nIn 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.\n\n“But the truth is that striking appears to be the only language the trust responds to.”\n\nDSAT said they are doing everything possible to keep the school open and maintain stability for students and families during this period.\n\nThey add they respect the legal right of staff to take industrial action and are committed to a constructive dialogue with the union.\n\n* * *\n\n**Before you go…** We've recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we're a small team on a shoestring budget.\n\nNow, we're ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.**\n\nThe app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It's a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community.\n\n* * *",
  "title": "Further dates announced for SEN school strike over suspended staff member",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-02T09:00:05.030Z"
}