The breakthrough follows talks facilitated by ACAS on 19 June, which resulted in the Trust agreeing to pause proposed staffing restructuring plans. Under the agreement, no restructuring will take place before September 2027 at the earliest, while a period of consultation with staff and unions is due to begin during the autumn term of 2026.
The NASUWT and NEU unions have subsequently agreed to suspend industrial action, bringing to an end a dispute that began in February and led to 21 days of strike action.
Waugh said the agreement reflected the outcome he had been urging for several months. The MP publicly called for the restructuring proposals to be paused in early May and had previously communicated the same message directly to the Trust in April.
Welcoming the resolution, he said:
"I warmly welcome the confirmation that the strikes are over, and that the Trust has agreed to pause its restructure plans. This is the exact outcome I have been calling for since early May, and one I put directly to the Trust back in April."
The dispute has caused significant disruption for pupils and families, with parents reporting difficulties balancing childcare, work commitments and the uncertainty created by prolonged industrial action.
Waugh acknowledged the impact the strikes had on local families and students, particularly those preparing for examinations.
"Throughout this dispute I have heard from parents about the real financial strain they have faced, using up annual leave and savings, renegotiating their working hours, and making sacrifices to support their children's education."
He added that Year 11 pupils sitting GCSE examinations had experienced particular stress and anxiety during the dispute.
The MP also welcomed what he described as a willingness by the Trust to listen to concerns raised by staff, parents and students, while emphasising the need to improve standards at the school.
"Everyone wants St Cuthbert's to succeed and no one would say that its most recent Ofsted rating of 'requires improvement' is acceptable. I am glad the Trust has listened to staff, students and parents about both the safety issues and the restructuring plans."
As part of his efforts to support affected pupils, Waugh confirmed that he had written to examination board AQA seeking clarification on special consideration arrangements for students whose studies had been disrupted. He said AQA had confirmed that special consideration could be available for pupils who experienced significant stress and anxiety as a result of the industrial action.
The Rochdale MP has also raised concerns about Year 10 students who will enter their GCSE year in September after missing mock examinations because of the dispute. He has urged the school to ensure additional support is put in place for those pupils.
Looking ahead, Waugh said he would continue to engage with the Trust, teaching unions, the Diocese and the Department for Education, while also calling for a stronger role for parents in the governance of the school.
The agreement brings to a close several months of uncertainty for staff, students and families, with all parties now expected to focus on improving standards and stability at the school ahead of the next academic year.
For immediate release
HEADLINE: Rochdale MP welcomes end of strike action at St Cuthbert's RC High School
Paul Waugh, Labour and Co-operative MP for Rochdale, has welcomed the end of strike action at St Cuthbert's RC High School, following an agreement reached between the St Teresa of Calcutta Trust and the NASUWT and NEU teaching unions.
Following a meeting on 19 June, facilitated by ACAS, the Trust and unions confirmed that the proposed staffing restructure will be paused, with no restructure to take place before September 2027 at the earliest and an initial period of meaningful consultation with staff and unions to begin in the autumn term of 2026. With this commitment, the unions agreed to suspend industrial action, bringing an end to a dispute that had run since February and resulted in 21 days of strikes.
Mr Waugh first called publicly for the restructure to be paused in early May, having already set out the same position directly to the Trust in April, urging all sides to stabilise the school before pressing ahead with structural change.
Paul Waugh MP said:
"I warmly welcome the confirmation that the strikes are over, and that the Trust has agreed to pause its restructure plans. This is the exact outcome I have been calling for since early May, and one I put directly to the Trust back in April.
"Everyone wants St Cuthbert's to succeed and no one would say that its most recent Ofsted rating of “requires improvement” is acceptable. I am glad the Trust has listened to staff, students and parents about both the safety issues and the restructuring plans. I am grateful to the Trust and to the unions for their communications with me over recent weeks.
"Throughout this dispute I have heard from parents about the real financial strain they have faced, using up annual leave and savings, renegotiating their working hours, and making sacrifices to support their children's education. Students have faced significant disruption too, and I know this has caused real stress and anxiety, not least for Year 11 pupils walking into their GCSE examinations.
"The experiences of these families must not be overlooked as the school moves forward. I will keep working with the Trust, the unions, the Diocese and the Department for Education to support pupils however I can, and I want to see a formal role for parent voices restored in the governance of the school."
Mr Waugh confirmed that he had written to the exam board AQA seeking clarity on special consideration for pupils affected by the disruption, and that AQA had confirmed this would be possible for students who had experienced significant stress and anxiety as a result of the strikes.
He has also raised concerns on behalf of parents of Year 10 pupils, who move into Year 11 this September and who have been unable to sit mock examinations this year, and has urged St Cuthbert's to put support in place for that year group.
