Teaching staff in two schools began prolonged strike action today over the suspension of a union representative.

Members of the National Union of Teachers at Fortismere and Highgate Wood Schools both formed picket lines in support of branch secretary Julie Davies. 

The union says the dispute is over vicitimisation of Ms Davies, who was suspended for gross misconduct by Haringey Council earlier this year.

Helen Anthony, headteacher at Fortismere, and Patrick Cozier, headteacher at Highgate Wood, both signed a letter on behalf of secondary headteachers in the borough calling for the removal of Julie Davies as Haringey NUT secretary.

In a letter to parents last week, both Fortismere’s Chair of Governors, Claire Murdoch, and Ms Anthony said they did not believe the strike action was “in any way justified”.

They announced the school would remain open today in spite of the strike in order to “minimise harm” to students.

The letter, signed by both Ms Murdoch and Ms Anthony, said: “We are clear that this is not a dispute specifically with Fortismere and regret that the NUT are targeting our students in this way.

“The current disciplinary action for the Regional NUT representative is a matter for the local authority, and not individual schools."

Patrick Crozier, headteacher at Highgate Wood, also wrote to parents last week to inform them about today’s strike.

He said the school was “clear that the NUT (and any other trade union) can elect who they wish to represent their members.”

Mr Crozier, along with Ms Anthony, signed a letter in June stating that the schools would not pay for its teaching staff’s union representation if Julie Davies remained the Haringey NUT secretary.

The letter accused Ms Davies of working through “confrontation” and fostering “mistrust”.

Teachers who are NUT members voted almost unanimously at both schools to take strike action in support of Ms Davies. 

Niall O'Connor, NUT deputy secretary said teachers supported Ms Davies and management did not because she was "effective". 

London NUT regional secretary Bob Stapley said: “We have never seen such arrogant behaviour from headteachers. They are trying to choose who our elected reps are.

“Our members are never going to accept this and the union will fight it every step of the way.”