A six-day strike planned by several teachers at a Swansea primary school has been called off at the eleventh hour. Clydach Primary School teachers were all set to go on strike - after already having taken five days of industrial action - claiming the local authority and school governors had failed to address what they alleged were "serious longstanding management failings on the part of the permanent headteacher".
But at 7pm, NASUWT - The Teachers' Union at Clydach Primary School, said it had received news that its requirements to end the strike action had been accepted, but that the dispute continued. Members first walked out on Tuesday, March 21, which resulted in the school having to partially-close.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The union has told us they are lifting the industrial action and parents are being informed school will be open as normal tomorrow (Thursday, March 30). Discussions with the union are continuing." To get the latest Swansea news stories to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter
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An initial statement from the union outlining members' concerns alleged: "Members at the school are taking action as a result of the failure of the local authority and school governors to act to address serious longstanding management failings on the part of the permanent headteacher. These include the bullying of staff, failure to take appropriate responsibility for managing and leading teaching and learning, failure to fulfil duties around safeguarding the health and safety of pupils and staff and a failure to adequately meet the professional standards teachers expect of a school leader."
It came after the council said it had put an "action plan" in place at the school and was supporting the school's leadership. The earlier statement read: "We have been working hard to support the resolution of the dispute at Clydach Primary School. We will continue to support the school and will continue dialogue with the union to try to avoid any future disruption to pupils and their families.
"We had identified areas for improvement at Clydach Primary School and an action plan is in place. We are supporting Clydach Primary to strengthen and develop leadership at all levels at the school.
“Swansea Council is committed to giving every child the best possible chance to fulfil their potential in all our communities and we will continue to work with the school and its teachers in the interests of all pupils at Clydach Primary.”
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