A teaching union has reacted angrily to a letter published by Woodside High School’s headteacher criticising recent strike action.

In a letter reportedly signed by all secondary headteachers in the borough, Dame Joan McVittie warned the industrial action was “damaging the life chances of vulnerable young people” in Haringey.

She wrote: “It cannot be right that children should be made to pay for a dispute that is essentially between a union official and her employer, the local authority.”

The letter is not addressed to the union, but to the council’s chief executive and leader Councillor Claire Kober.

Bob Stapley, the NUT’s London regional secretary, said the publication of the letter undermined talks currently being arranged between heads, council staff and union representatives.

Gladesmore headteacher and chairman of the Haringey Schools Forum Tony Hartney wrote to the NUT on Monday to suggest a meeting, which both the council and the union welcomed.

However, the NUT now say talks now seemed “in jeopardy” following Dame McVittie’s “inflammatory” tone.

Mr Stapley said the union had been trying to meet with the council since July 17, but meetings had been refused.

He said: “Dame Joan could have more appropriately asked the leader of the council why there had not been a positive response to the union’s request for talks.

“The fact is that neither the council nor the borough’s headteachers have been interested in meeting with us with a view to resolving this dispute.

“Only once we had begun our campaign of rolling strike action has there been any willingness to meet with us.”

He added: “It is frankly shameful the council has failed in its responsibility.”

Haringey Council rebuffed claims that it had failed. A spokesman said: “We have met the NUT on a number of occasions since July to discuss this matter and try to avoid the unwarranted action that has disrupted the education of thousands of Haringey children.”

The NUT have said that they are striking in schools to protest at headteachers attempting to choose their elected union representative.

Patrick Cozier and Helen Anthony, headteachers at Highate Wood and Fortismere schools, both signed a letter warning that heads would not continue to pay for union representation while Julie Davies remained in post.

Ms Davies was suspended by the council shortly after the letter was received.