Teachers at Nishkam High School, a Birmingham school rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, have begun strike action that will last for the remainder of the summer term and extend into the next academic year in September 2026. The industrial action stems from staff opposition to new curriculum plans implemented by the Nishkam School Trust, which they argue will disadvantage students and reflect 'unreasonable management practices'.
Curriculum Changes Spark Dispute
The core of the dispute centres on the trust's decision to align the curriculum across two of its schools. Teaching staff have raised specific concerns: a reduction of Year 9 science by two lessons per week, triple science provision cut by three lessons weekly, and a reduction of Key Stage 3 maths by one lesson per week. Additionally, geography and history are being moved to a different exam board, which teachers say moves away from their expertise. GCSE choices are also being reduced as citizenship becomes compulsory, and teachers claim their professional autonomy is being 'stripped away'.
In a statement, striking staff who are members of the National Education Union (NEU) said: 'At Nishkam High School, Birmingham, NEU members are hugely proud of the curriculum and the work which has gone into it, resulting in the current Ofsted grading of Outstanding. They feel that the current plans for alignment would disadvantage your children and they are not prepared to allow their students to be disadvantaged.'
Trust Defends Alignment Strategy
The Nishkam School Trust has defended the curriculum alignment, describing it as a process to 'bring together the best expertise across our schools so that every pupil benefits from a strong, carefully sequenced and inclusive curriculum.' The trust emphasised that the approach is not about copying one school but about collaboration, sharing resources, and reducing workload.
In a statement, the trust said: 'Curriculum alignment is about bringing together the best expertise across our schools so that every pupil benefits from a strong, carefully sequenced and inclusive curriculum. It supports subject specialists to work together, share high-quality resources, improve assessment and moderation, and reduce unnecessary duplication and therefore workload.'
The trust also noted that since 2019, its primary schools have successfully used a more aligned curriculum model, leading to stronger consistency and pupil outcomes. It acknowledged that departments are at different stages of readiness and will take a phased approach, with implementation potentially extending to September 2027.
Strike Details and School Response
Teachers have taken the 'difficult decision' to strike for the rest of the summer term, with additional action planned for September 2026. The trust expressed regret over the strike but respects the legal right to industrial action. It stated: 'We regret that further strike action is taking place, but we respect the legal right of colleagues to take industrial action. Our immediate priority is the safe and effective running of the school during this period, but we remain willing to continue constructive discussions as soon as practicable.'
The school remains open to specific year groups, pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and vulnerable pupils. The trust is working to minimise disruption to education and planned end-of-year activities, and will update parents and carers directly on operational arrangements.
Teachers have criticised the process as 'rushed and mishandled', noting that curriculum changes of this magnitude would usually take far longer to implement. They claim that despite concerns from heads of subject areas, staff were repeatedly told there was no chance of delay or cancellation, and that no consultation took place on the proposed changes.
