Hospital school teachers end 61-day strike after staff reinstatement

Educators at the Hospital School, located at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and UCLH in Camden, have concluded 61 days of industrial action. The strike action, which spanned several months, was initiated after management implemented disciplinary measures against staff members. The National Education Union (NEU) had accused the school's leadership of "bullying and intimidation".

Dispute Triggered by Staff Dismissals

The core of the dispute involved the suspension and subsequent dismissal of staff, including teacher Kate Williams. Ms Williams, who had taught at the school for 15 years, was suspended in July 2025 over allegations of "gross misconduct". She denied the charges, stating she believed she was targeted due to her role as a union representative raising staff concerns. The NEU branch in Camden organised walkouts, labelling the allegations against Ms Williams and other suspended staff as "baseless" and accusing management of a "targeted attack" on trade unions. A survey by the union indicated that eight in ten members felt the school's management was causing workplace stress.

Judge Grants Interim Relief

Despite being dismissed in March 2026, Ms Williams was granted interim relief in July. An employment judge determined that her dismissal appeared "disproportionate". While acknowledging Ms Williams made "ill-advised" comments to management, the judge ruled her actions were protected. The judge ordered Ms Williams' reinstatement pending a full employment tribunal. However, the school's management appealed this decision, which led to further strike action in October.

Leadership Changes and Resolution

The resolution to the industrial action followed the resignation of the school's headteacher, Neela Moorghen, before the October half term. According to the NEU, some non-staff governors have also resigned. Reports from The Times indicated that the departing governors retained confidence in Ms Moorghen but felt unable to continue their duties after some of their decisions were reversed during the dispute. The school's governing body has now dropped all disciplinary actions against Ms Williams and her colleagues. The NEU confirmed the cancellation of scheduled strike action after "constructive and positive discussions" with the governors, who reportedly agreed to reinstate all suspended union members, withdraw all disciplinary processes, and release a report on collective grievances.

In a joint statement, the Children's Hospital School at GOSH and UCLH acknowledged the dispute's impact and committed to rebuilding relationships. The statement read: “We recognise the impact that the dispute has had on staff, pupils and families, and we are committed to learning from this experience. The focus now is on moving forward together, restoring trust and ensuring that the school continues to provide the outstanding education and support for which it is known.” Camden Council described the agreement as a "significant and positive step forward", expressing pleasure that an accord was reached allowing parties to focus on collaborative progress.

What Happens Next

With industrial action ended and all disciplinary actions dropped, the school's governing body and staff will focus on rebuilding relationships and restoring trust. The joint statement indicates a commitment to collaborative work with staff and trade union representatives to ensure the school continues to provide its established standard of education and support for pupils.