Parents across the West Midlands are being warned of significant disruption to their children's education as teachers across a major academy trust prepare for nine days of strike action in January 2026.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) employed by the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) have confirmed the walkouts, which will affect 20 of the trust's 24 schools. The industrial action is a direct response to the trust's controversial plans to cut more than 100 jobs, a move it attributes to severe financial challenges.
Confirmed Strike Dates and Schedule
The strikes are scheduled to take place over three consecutive weeks, creating a prolonged period of potential disruption for thousands of pupils.
The planned walkouts are as follows:
- Week 1: Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th January 2026.
- Week 2: Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st, and Thursday 22nd January 2026.
- Week 3: Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th, and Thursday 29th January 2026.
Full List of Schools Affected by the Action
The ATLP manages schools across Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Lichfield, and Coventry. While 20 institutions will be impacted, several have been specifically named in trust communications.
In Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham, the affected schools include Arthur Terry School, Stockland Green School, Mere Green Primary, Slade Primary, Brookvale Primary School, Deykin Avenue Junior and Infants, Osborne Primary, and Hill West Primary.
In Lichfield and Staffordshire, the action involves The Bridge Academy in Lichfield, Greysbrooke Primary School in Shenstone, and Dunstall Park Primary in Tamworth. In Coventry, West Coventry Academy will also be affected.
Impact on Pupils and Parents
The trust has issued a clear warning to families, stating the strikes will inevitably lead to a "level of disruption." While headteachers are urgently developing contingency plans to keep schools open where possible, the ATLP has admitted it may not be able to offer face-to-face education for all pupils on the strike dates.
Parents are strongly advised to monitor direct communications from their child's specific school for precise details on partial closures, altered timetables, or any remote learning arrangements that may be put in place.
The Root of the Dispute: Job Cuts and Financial Pressure
The strike action stems from a bitter dispute over the trust's intention to slash more than 100 positions. ATLP leadership cites "financial challenges" as the driving force behind the proposed redundancies.
However, the NEU has strongly contested this rationale. The union describes the plans as "large-scale redundancies" stemming from what it calls "financial mistakes" made by the trust's leadership. NEU representatives have expressed profound concerns about the detrimental impact such deep cuts would have on remaining staff workload and, crucially, on the quality of education provided to students across the partnership.
