Angry parents have criticised their son’s school over its planning for the teachers' strike next week. Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr in Bridgend said in a letter to parents that it intends to stay open on February 1, but that may change at the very last minute.
Headteacher Jayne Dart has warned in a letter to parents that the school may text them after 9am asking them to come back to pick up their children after all. The parents of a five year old pupil at the school, said it was unreasonable to expect parents to send their children in at all on strike day with such uncertainty.
The parents, who did not want to be identified because they are key workers, said they were angry at what they see as the blunt tone of the letter. It says plans to open could change at the last minute on the morning of the strike.
Read more: Headteacher explains why he's shutting his school when teachers strike next week
“If classes need to be closed you will receive a text after 9am to collect your child(ren),” the letter from the headteacher said.
The boy's parents branded this “unacceptably late” and said it would be very difficult to drop children off and then have to head straight back from work to collect them. The couple, who both work, said it would be easier for the school to decide to shut if there was so much uncertainty.
Hundreds of schools across Wales will shut for the strike with almost all in Cardiff and Swansea affected. Members of the NEU Cymru voted to strike in a row over pay and conditions with three more strike days planned in February and March.
The parents said they are barred from striking in their public service jobs and they don't agree with teachers for walking out.
The boy's father said: “I understand they have got problems but there is no apology in the letter from the school. If they are not sure then the school should just be shut. I don’t agree with strikes and this strike impacts everyone with children in school.
"There is massive disruption to education after covid and they haven’t thought about parents and children.No one is happy with their pay but I don’t agree with strikes.”
The boy's mother said she was annoyed by the letter and with so much uncertainty would not be sending their son in on that day anyway now.
“We have arranged for our son to stay with a family member while we go to work. I am shocked by the fact they said we can drop the children off if they aren’t sure they’ll stay open.
“A majority of schools are shutting so they should just do that too. I might get to work and suddenly get a text to pick him up. They are not thinking about the impact on working parents and I am frustrated about the strike and I am frustrated by this letter.”
A Bridgend Council spokesperson said: “Individual schools are responsible for undertaking their own risk assessments and for making the final decision on whether to close their school fully or to just some cohorts of pupils.
“As it is the intention of all schools to remain open unless they are unable to do so, it may not be until the morning of the strike that some schools can determine whether they can remain open or will need to close fully or partially.
“Schools will provide updates through their usual communication methods and would like to thank parents/carers for their understanding at this time.”
The full text of the letter to parents of children at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr
Dear Parents / Carers
Teacher Strike Information
Following on from BCBC’s letter dated 25.01.23 we’d like to share our school information regarding the teacher strike action with you.
The risk assessment currently highlights that the school will be open as normal on Wednesday 1 February. However, the situation and circumstances may change on the morning of the strike and we may need to close some classes for health and safety and safeguarding reasons. The school will make the best effort to stay open to all pupils where possible
in line with strike conditions and Welsh Government and union guidelines. This decision cannot be made before 9am and, therefore, if classes need to be closed you will receive a text after 9am to collect your child(ren).
Diolch am eich cefnogaeth parhaus / Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs S Jayne Nik Dart, Pennaeth / Headteacher Cadeirydd y Llywodraethwyr / Chair of Governors
The full list of schools in Bridgend affected by next week's strike :
School |
Current status (27/01/2023) |
Abercerdin Primary School |
tbc |
Afon-y-Felin Primary School |
tbc |
Archdeacon John Lewis C in W |
Closed |
Betws Primary School |
tbc |
Blaengarw Primary School |
tbc |
Brackla Primary School |
Partially open |
Bryncethin Primary School |
Closed |
Brynmenyn Primary School |
Closed |
Bryntirion Infants School |
tbc |
Caerau Primary School |
Closed |
Cefn Cribwr Primary School |
Partially open |
Cefn Glas Infants School |
tbc |
Coety Primary School |
Closed |
Corneli Primary School |
tbc |
Coychurch (Llangrallo) Primary School |
tbc |
Croesty Primary School |
Closed |
Cwmfelin Primary School |
tbc |
Ffaldau Primary School |
tbc |
Garth Primary School |
Closed |
Litchard Primary School |
tbc |
Llangewydd Junior School |
tbc |
Llangynwyd Primary School |
tbc |
Maes yr Haul Primary School |
Closed |
Mynydd Cynffig Primary School |
tbc |
Nantyffyllon Primary School |
Closed |
Nantymoel Primary School |
tbc |
Newton Primary School |
tbc |
Nottage Primary School |
Partially open |
Ogmore Vale Primary School |
Partially open |
Oldcastle Primary School |
tbc |
Pencoed Primary School |
Closed |
Penybont Primary School |
tbc |
Penyfai C in W Primary School |
tbc |
Pîl Primary School School |
tbc |
Plasnewydd Primary School |
Closed |
Porthcawl Primary School |
Partially open |
St Marys & St Patricks Catholic Primary School |
Closed |
St Marys Catholic Primary School |
Partially open |
St Roberts Catholic Primary School |
tbc |
Tondu Primary School |
Closed |
Trelales Primary School |
Closed |
Tremains Primary School |
tbc |
Tynyrheol Primary School |
Closed |
West Park Primary School |
tbc |
YGG Calon y Cymoedd |
Partially open |
Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr |
tbc |
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cynwyd Sant |
Open |
Ysgol Y Ferch o'r Sger, Corneli |
Partially open |
Archbishop McGrath RC High School |
Closed |
Brynteg School |
Closed |
Bryntirion Comprehensive School |
Closed |
Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen |
tbc |
Cynffig Comprehensive School |
tbc |
Maesteg School |
tbc |
Pencoed Comprehensive School |
Closed |
Porthcawl Comprehensive School |
Closed |
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd |
Closed |
Ysgol Bryn Castell |
Closed |
Heronsbridge |
tbc |
The Bridge Alternative Provision |
Closed |
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