On Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th October, members of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, at Ysgol Nantgwyn, Rhondda Cynon Taff, will take strike action after promises of change from the employer to deal with poor pupil behaviour failed to materialise.

Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:

“Our members at Ysgol Nantgwyn are continuing to endure a situation in which their concerns about the impact of poor pupil behaviour on teachers’ health and wellbeing are failing to be addressed by their employer.

“We have had many meetings with the employer at Ysgol Nantgwyn, and our members have shown their patience and desire to find a resolution to this dispute. However, throughout this dispute, the employer has continued to try the patience of our members.

“We are once again urging the employer to address the concerns of our members and avoid further escalation of this dispute.”

Neil Butler, National Official for Wales, said:

“NASUWT has had concerns at Ysgol Nantgwyn for two years. We have given school leadership every opportunity to improve but fine words in meetings do not seem to be translated on the ground. Most worrying of all is a trend appearing of targeting NASUWT members who have bravely stood up to bring about change in the school. This will never be tolerated.”

Sharron Daly, National Executive Member for the local area, said:

“When we went into dispute over poor learner behaviour, there appeared a job restructuring process in the school – which was ill advised and badly timed. The employer agreed to withdraw this but now we find that some teachers are finding job descriptions changing and potential loss of posts. This is not a coincidence and breaks the agreements that we had with the employer last term. Unfortunately, we have come to the bitter conclusion that strike action is the only way of getting the employer to listen and take teacher concerns seriously.”