The teachers’ strike planned at the St Ives secondary school tomorrow (Tuesday) has been called off.  

The NASUWT teaching union confirmed the news for St Ivo Academy following “useful progress in talks” with the school’s head Tony Meneaugh and its academy trust.  

Teachers were ready to walk out on what would have been the first full day in a series of upcoming strike days. 

Their key issue is over how the Astrea Academy Trust “undermines their professional autonomy” with its approach to delivering education. 

Mark Burns, who represents NASUWT members in Cambridgeshire, says recent progress has been promising.  

He said: “... after discussions with members I feel it a sensible course of action to ensure further goodwill to call off the first day of the strike action... 

“This decision is to allow further talks to take place in an attempt to address other concerns of the membership.   

“Currently the action short of strike action and all other strike days remain in place.” 

Upcoming dates for strikes are still set for after the half term break on November 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. 

Last month members carried out action short of strike action, a key legal step towards full strike days. 

Both Astrea Academy Trust and the St Ivo Parents Forum welcomed tomorrow’s strike being called off.  

While a spokesperson for the trust said it will "continue to work to avoid any disruption to students’ education”, the group representing parents is keen for the talks to continue.  

A St Ivo Parents Forum spokesperson said: "[We] are pleased to hear that Astrea Academy Trust and Mr Meneaugh are listening to and working with both the union and the dedicated teachers at the school.

“We sincerely hope this dialogue with the NASUWT and staff progresses, and changes continue to be made, so that strike action later in the year can also be avoided."