Teachers strike at Reigate state boarding school over pay and rent
Staff at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School strike over redundancies, pay and staff accommodation.
www.bbc.comHere’s the latest I could verify about the Royal Alexandra and Albert School strike.
-
Reports indicate teachers at Royal Alexandra and Albert School (RAAS) in Reigate, Surrey, were striking over pay, redundancies, and staff housing/rent arrangements, with action supported by a large majority of NEU members who voted to strike. Some coverage notes the strike was planned as part of ongoing consultations under a project referenced as “Project Gatton” and that the school leadership said they were working to minimize disruption while prioritizing student safety and education [BBC article on RAAS strike, 2026-04-21][BBC article details cited]. The NHS/education union statements emphasize a push for trade union recognition and assurances against compulsory redundancies and unfavorable terms changes [BBC article details cited]. The school contends no final decisions have been made and that consultation continues, with staffing proposals described as under review rather than fixed [BBC article details cited].
-
Local authority context: Surrey County Council clarified that RAAS staff are employed by the school’s governing body, not the council, and stated they are supporting the school to minimize disruption during consultation [BBC article details cited].
-
Broader context: RAAS is one of England’s 32 state boarding schools; the dispute reflects tensions around workforce costs, accommodation for resident staff, and governance/recognition in a state boarding setting. Picket lines were reported on strike days in the early morning hours, and there were references to multiple strike days planned in April and May 2026 [BBC article details cited].
If you’d like, I can pull the latest official statements from RAAS, Surrey County Council, and NEU, or summarize the key dates and proposed changes in a quick timeline. I can also set up a brief news digest with links to each source.