TEACHERS in Fareham are set to go on strike for five days claiming there have been "unacceptable" management practices and claims of bullying at their school.

Union members at Crofton Hammond Junior School, Stubbington, are striking over "unacceptable" management practices, an excessive workload, unagreed working practices, and alleged bullying and victimisation of the union representative.

National Education Union members balloted for action and will strike on Thursday, March 30, April 19-20 and May 2-4. There was a 92 per cent turnout with 69 per cent voting to strike.

READ MORE: Stubbington school ballot fails to back strike

A teacher representing NEU members at the school said: "We came into teaching because we felt passionate about the importance and the lifelong benefits of a good primary education. 

"We would like to be able to come to work and do our very best for our classes and the whole school community.

"However, for too long now we have felt sick, scared, and anxious almost every day, and many of us have had to seek medical support.

"We would like our employer to work with us to speedily resolve this issue. We are wholeheartedly committed to serving this community and hope to continue to do so.

Meanwhile, NEU's joint Hampshire branch secretary, Sue Kent, added: "I have been supporting our members for some time to resolve these issues with the management of the school. 

"Our members have been working in a toxic environment; they felt unsafe at work, and management was not listening to their concerns. This is completely unacceptable.

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"After raising the issues, our members did not feel adequately supported by their employer to feel safe at work. Therefore, reluctantly, they felt they had no choice but to be balloted for strike action to ensure their concerns were taken seriously.

"An internal process has been dragging on for several months, which has created a great deal of uncertainty for our members." 

The NEU is urging Hampshire County Council to get around the table and help resolve this dispute to prevent strike action from becoming necessary.