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Wales Online

National

Abbie Wightwick

The schools in Wales that will shut during teacher strike on Thursday

Wales NEU Welsh Government Senedd

Schools across Wales will shut again this Thursday when teachers walk out for a second time in a continued row over pay and funding. Hundreds of schools closed in the first strike by members of the National Education Union on February 1.

Councils admit the full picture of school closures won't be known until the day of the strike but some have published lists - in Rhondda Cynon Taf just 10 out of 115 schools will be fully open. Parents are being advised to contact their child’s school and check media and schools' social media for the latest up-to-date information.

Union members initially suspended further strikes while talks continued with the Welsh Government but then rejected a new pay offer from education minister Jeremy Miles and will now strike again on March 2. Two further strike days are planned for March 15 and 16.

The renewed offer would have given teachers a further 1.5% pay rise plus a one-off cash bonus also equivalent to 1.5% of a teacher’s salary in addition to the initial 5% pay offer. Union members said that was “just not good enough” and you can read more details of that here.

Some local education authorities have published lists of schools they know will shut when teachers walk out on Thursday, March 2, but have conceded there may be more and those lists are likely to change. Councils said they won’t know until the day of the strike which schools will be running normally or not.

Staff don’t have to tell head teachers if they plan to walk out so the full situation won’t be clear until then. A work to rule by school leaders, who have also rejected the new offer on grounds it does not address working conditions, means heads won't provide cover for striking teachers. Online learning won’t be provided

Cllr Phil Wynn, lead member for education at Wrexham Council, summed up the situation across Wales and said: “We understand parents’ concerns as there will inevitably be disruption on Thursday, March 2, and we are working with schools to manage this in the best way possible. The full extent of the industrial action, however, will not be known until the day itself.”

Members of the NEU will take their protest to the Senedd on March 2 with a strike day rally from 11.45am. Joint general secretary Mary Bousted will speak at the rally expected to be attended by hundreds of striking teachers.

The strike coincides with teacher strikes in England and head teachers and school leaders who are members of the National Association of Headteachers Cymru have also rejected the latest offer. Members of the NAHT Cymru said the renewed pay offer from the Welsh Government was too vague and didn’t address their concerns over workload.

The heads' work to rule means tasks they won't do include providing cover for striking teachers or information on who is striking. They will also restrict their availability to receive or respond to calls and emails before 9am or after 3pm.

An area-by-area breakdown of plans for Thursday

Newport

Closed

Ysgol Bryn Derw
Caerleon Comprehensive
John Frost School
Llanwern High
Newport High
Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed
Glasllwch Primary
Jubilee Park Primary
Millbrook Primary

Fully open

Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Gwenlli
Mount Pleasant Primary

Partially open

Lliswerry High (post-16)
St Julian’s School (post-16)
St Patrick’s RC Primary
St Woolos Primary
Tredegar Park Primary
Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd
Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon
St Andrews Primary
Crindau Primary

Merthyr Tydfil

"Almost all schools will be closed or partially closed due to the industrial action on Thursday 2 March, 2023. We are advising all parents and carers to contact the school directly for information," Merthyr Council said.

Torfaen

The council said it has had notice from 19 schools and expects to have daily updates until Wednesday afternoon. So far three schools have confirmed they will shut, 12 will be partially shut, and four have said they will be fully open. The situation for all other schools in the county aren’t known and the council did not name those that would be shut, partially shut, or open.

Conwy

The council warned the full impact won’t be known until strike day but as of last thing on Monday, February 27, it has been told 11 of its 63 schools will be shut, 16 partially shut, 16 open, and the impact on the rest was not known. The council said in a statement: “Decisions on whether to close schools during industrial action have been taken by the head teacher of a school following a risk assessment. Schools have contacted parents/carers direct with information specific to local circumstances.

“The education service is advising parents/carers to follow the information provided by their child’s school. We are awaiting information from 20 schools. The full extent of the industrial action will not be known until the day itself.”

Pembrokeshire

Closed

Waldo Williams Primary
Fenton Primary
Broad Haven Primary
Portfield Primary

Partially open

Greenhill High
Haverfordwest High
Ysgol Harri Tudur Comprehensive
Pembroke Dock Community Primary
Ysgol Gelli Aur
Stepaside Primary
Fishguard RC / Holy Name Primary
St Francis RC Primary
Ysgol Ger y Llan
Pennar Community Primary
St Oswalds Primary
St Marks Primary
Ysgol Glannau Gwaun
Prendergast
Milford Haven Community
Johnston Primary

The council said it was expecting updates from other schools.

Denbighshire

Closed

Bodnant Community Primary
Ysgol Bryn Collen Primary
Christ the Word Catholic School - primary and secondary
Denbigh High School
Rhos Street Primary School
Rhyl High School
St. Brigid’s Primary and Secondary School
Ysgol Caer Drewyn Primary
Ysgol Emmanuel Primary
Ysgol Frongoch Junior
Ysgol Pendref Primary
Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn (additional learning needs)

Partially open

Ysgol Bodfari (primary) - open for nursery, reception, year one, and year two
Ysgol Borthyn (primary) - open for nursery, reception, year three, and year four
Ysgol Carrog (primary) - open for nursery, reception, year one, and year two
Ysgol Tir Morfa (primary) - open for all classes except Class Alwen, which will be closed
Ysgol Twm o’r Nant (primary) - open for all classes except Class Meillion, which will be closed
Ysgol Y Parc (primary) - open for reception, year one, and year two

Monmouthshire

Closed

King Henry VIII Comprehensive
Caldicot High
Chepstow High
Monmouth High

Cantref Primary
Y Fenni Primary
Magor Primary
Llantillio Primary
Pertholey Primary
Undy Primary
Y Ffin Primary
Goytre Primary
Deri View Primary

Fully open

Osbaston Primary
Dewstow Primary
The Dell Primary
Trellech Primary

Partially open

Castle Park Primary
Cross Ash Primary
Durand Primary
Gilwern Primary CiW Primary
Kymin View Primary
Llandogo Primary
Llanfoist Fawr Primary
Llanvihangel Primary
Overmonnow Primary
Our Lady and St Michael’s RC Primary
Pembroke Primary
Raglan CiW VC Primary
Rogiet Primary
Shirenewton Primary
St Mary’s RC Primary
Thornwell Primary
Usk Primary
Archbishop Rowan Williams CiW VA Primary

Gwynedd

A Gwynedd Council spokesman said: “The National Education Union (NEU) has announced four dates of industrial action by their members, which means that some schools in Gwynedd may close partially or completely for learners on those days. As a local education authority we have met with the heads of the county’s primary, secondary, and special schools in order to prepare and discuss the main issues that may arise.

“The impact of the strike will vary from school to school. We sympathise with the concern this may cause for pupils and their families and we are working closely with our schools so that they can provide appropriate and consistent information to parents and pupils in advance.

“The full extent of the industrial action cannot be known until the day itself. As a council we are committed to working with the Welsh Government and the unions to resolve this dispute and to ensure that any action disrupts as little as possible on the provision of education in the county.”

Wrexham

Cllr Phil Wynn, lead member for education, said: “We understand parents’ concerns as there will inevitably be disruption on Thursday, March 2, and we are working with schools to manage this in the best way possible. The full extent of the industrial action, however, will not be known until the day itself. Head teachers are preparing risk assessments based on the information they have in order to assist them in making a decision on whether or not to close, partially close, or remain open. They will endeavour to give as much notice as possible to parents. Parents are advised to look out for communications from their child’s school and to take the necessary action.”

Anglesey

A council spokesman said: “We are liaising with head teachers to assess how the latest industrial action will affect our schools on March 2. Assessing the impact of the industrial action is, of course, hampered by the fact that teachers do not have to inform their head teacher that they are unavailable for work until the morning of March 2. However we will continue to work with schools to ensure that we have as clear a picture as possible. Schools will be informing parents directly with regards to their intention as soon as they are able to.”

Flintshire

A council spokesman said: “The full extent of the industrial action will not be known until the day itself. We advise parents to look out for communications from their child’s school directly and to take the necessary action.”

Ceredigion

Partially open

Ysgol Ceinewydd
Ysgol Comins Coch
Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos
Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi
Ysgol Padarn Sant
Ysgol Uwchradd Aberaeron
Ysgol Penglais
Ysgol Bro Pedr

Cardiff

Closed

Cantonian High
Cardiff High
Cardiff West Community High
Cathays High
Corpus Christi High
Eastern High
Llanishen High
Mary Immaculate High
Radyr Comprehensive
St Illtyd's High
St Teilo's High
Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High
Whitchurch High
Willows High
Woodlands High special school
Adamsdown Primary
Albany Primary
All Saints Church in Wales Primary
Bryn Celyn Primary
Bryn Hafod Primary
Gabalfa Primary
Glyncoed Primary
Greenway Primary
Hawthorn Primary
Kitchener Primary
Lansdowne Primary
Llandaff Church in Wales Primary
Llanedeyrn Primary
Moorland Primary
Mount Stuart Primary
Ninian Park Primary
Oakfield Primary
Pen-y-Bryn Primary
Peter Lea Primary
Radnor Primary
Severn Primary
Springwood Primary
St Alban's RC Primary
St Cadoc's RC Primary
St Cuthbert's RC Primary
St Mary the Virgin Church in Wales Primary
St Monica's Church in Wales Primary
St Paul's Church in Wales Primary
Stacey Primary
Thornhill Primary
Trowbridge Primary
Willowbrook Primary
Ysgol Pen-y-Groes

Partially open

Allensbank Primary
Birchgrove Primary School
Bryn Deri Primary School
Christ The King R.C Primary School
Coryton Primary
Creigiau Primary School
Danescourt Primary School
Gladstone Primary School
Grangetown Primary School
Greenhill School
Holy Family R.C Primary School
Lakeside Primary School
Llysfaen Primary School
Marlborough Primary School
Meadowlane Primary School
Pencaerau Primary School
Pontprennau Primary School
Radyr Primary School
Rhiwbeina Primary School
Roath Park Primary School
Rumney Primary School
St Bernadette’s R.C Primary School
St Fagan’s C.W Primary School
St Francis RC Primary School
St John Lloyd R.C Primary School
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
St Mellons C.I.W Primary School
St Philip Evans R.C Primary School
Ton-Yr-Ywen Primary School
Tongwynlais Primary School
Tredegarville C.W Primary School
Ty Gwyn School
Whitchurch Primary School
Windsor Clive Primary School
Ysgol Bro Eirwg
Ysgol Glan Ceubal
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr
Ysgol Gymraeg Coed-Y-Gof
Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd
Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Caerau
Ysgol Gymraeg Pwll Coch
Ysgol Gynradd Gwaelod Y Garth Primary School
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Hamadryad
Ysgol Pen Y Pil
Ysgol Y Berllan Deg

Fully open

Fitzalan High
Baden Powell Primary
Bishop Child's Church in Wales Primary
Bryn y Deryn Primary
Coed Glas Primary
Ely and Caerau Children's Centre
Fairwater Primary
Glan yr Afon Primary
Grangetown Nursery
Herbert Thompson Primary
Howardian Primary
Hywel Dda Primary
Llanishen Fach Primary
Meadowbank School
Millbank Primary
Pentrebane Primary
Pentyrch Primary
Rhydypenau Primary
Riverbank School
St David's Church in Wales Primary
St Joseph's RC Primary
St Patrick's RC Primary
St Peter's RC Primary
The Court School
The Hollies School
Trelai Primary
Tremorfa Nursery
Ysgol Glan Morfa
Ysgol Treganna
Ysgol Groes Wen
Ysgol Mynydd Bychan
Ysgol Pencae
Ysgol y Wern

Cardiff Council advised parents/carers to check with their school for more details, as not all of them have provided information.

Swansea

Closed

Cefn Hengoed Community School
Gowerton School
Pentrehafod School
Pontarddulais Comprehensive
Maes Derw PRU
Birchgrove Primary
Brynhyfryd Primary
Brynmill Primary
Burlais Primary
Cadle Primary
Casllwchwr Primary
Clwyd Primary
Cwm Glas Primary
Cwmrhydyceirw Primary
Danygraig Primary
Grange Primary
Knelston Primary
Mayals Primary
Newton Primary
Penllergaer Primary
Pennard Primary
Pen y Fro Primary
Pontybrenin Primary
Portmead Primary
St Thomas Primary
Trallwn Primary
Tre Uchaf Primary
Whitestone Primary
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary
Maes Derw PRU

Partially open

Birchgrove Comprehensive
Bishop Gore High
Bishopston Comprehensive
Dylan Thomas High
Penyrheol High
Ysgol Bryntawe
Ysgol Gwyr
Ysgol Pen-Y-Bryn
Gendros Primary
Glyncollen Primary
Gorseinon Primary
Gowerton Primary
Llanrhidian Primary
Morriston Primary
Oystermouth Primary
Penclawdd Primary
Pentre’r Graig Primary
Sea View Primary
Sketty Primary
St Helen’s Primary
Townhill Primary
Ynystawe Primary
Ysgol Brynymor
Ysgol Llwynderw
Ysgol Y Cwm
St David’s RC Primary
St Joseph’s Cathedral Primary

Fully open

Bishop Vaughan Catholic High
Ysgol Crug Glas Special school
Blaenymaes Primary
Clydach Primary
Glais Primary
Gors Primary
Llangyfelach Primary
Plasmarl Primary
Pontarddulais Primary
Talycopa Primary
Waun Wen Primary
Ysgol Bryniago
Ysgol Tan-Y-Lan
Ysgol Tirdeunaw
St Illtyd’s RC Primary
Waun Wen Primary

Unconfirmed

Morriston Comprehensive
Olchfa School
Bishopston Primary
Cila Primary
Clase Primary
Craigfelen Primary
Crwys Primary
Dunvant Primary
Gwyrosydd Primary
Hafod Primary
Hendrefoilan Primary
Parkland Primary
Pengelli Primary
Pentrechwyth Primary
Penyrheol Primary
Pontlliw Primary
Terrace Road Primary
Waunarlwydd Primary
Ysgol Gellionnen
Ysgol Lon-Las
Ysgol Pontybrenin
Ysgol Y Login Fach

Bridgend

Bridgend Council said it could not confirm school closures until the morning of the strike.

RCT

Closed

Abercynon Community Primary School
Abernant Primary School
Alaw Primary School
Caegarw Primary School
Caradog Primary School
Coedpenmaen Primary School
Cwmbach C in W Primary School
Ferndale Community School
Ffynnon Taf Primary School
Gwauncelyn Primary School
Hafod Primary School
Hawthorn High School
Hawthorn Primary School
Llanhari Primary School
Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School
Llantrisant Primary School
Llwyncrwn Primary School
Llwynypia Primary School
Maesgwyn Special School
Maesybryn Primary School
Miskin Primary School
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School
Our Lady's RC Primary School
Parc Lewis Primary School
Park Lane Special School
Penderyn Primary School
Penygawsi Primary School
Penyrenglyn Community Primary School
Pontrhondda Primary School
Porth Community School
Rhigos Primary School
St John Baptist C in W High School
St Margaret's RC Primary School
Ton Infants School
Ton Pentre Junior School
Trallwng Infants School
Trealaw Primary School
Treorchy Comprehensive School
Treorchy Primary School
Trerobart Primary School
Ynyshir Community Primary School
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castellau
Ysgol Hen Felin
Ysgol Ty Coch

Partially open

Aberdare Community School
Aberdare Park Primary School
Aberdare Town C in W Primary
Bodringallt Primary School
Blaengwawr Primary School
Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School
Brynnau Primary School
Capcoch Primary School
Cardinal Newman RC Comprehensive School
Cefn Primary School
Cilfynydd Primary School
Craig Yr Hesg Primary School
Cwmaman Primary
Cwmbach Community Primary School
Cwmclydach Community Primary School
Cwmdar Primary School
Cwmlai Primary School
Cymmer Primary School
Darran Park Primary School
Darrenlas Primary School
Dolau Primary School
Gelli Primary School
Glenboi Community Primary School
Gwaunmeisgyn Primary School
Hendreforgan Primary School
Heol Y Celyn Primary School
Hirwaun Primary School
Llanharan Primary School
Llwydcoed Primary School
Maerdy Community Primary School
Maesycoed Primary School
Pengeulan Primary School
Penpych Primary School
Penrhiwceibr Primary School
Penrhys Primary School
Penywaun Primary School
Pontygwaith Primary School
Pontypridd High School
Gabriel & Raphael RC Primary School
St Michael's RC Primary School
Tonyrefail Community School
Tonysguboriau Primary School
Trehopcyn Primary School
Tylorstown Primary School
Williamstown Primary School
Y Pant Comprehensive School
Ynysboeth Primary School
Ysgol Garth Olwg
Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda
Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Abercynon
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bodringallt
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bronllwyn
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwyncelyn
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pontsionnorton
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tonyrefail
Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Gymraeg Llantrisant
Ysgol Llanhari
Ysgol Nantgwyn

Fully open

Coedylan Primary School
Oaklands Primary School
Parc Primary School
Perthcelyn Community Primary School
Pontyclun Primary School
Tai Education Centre
Tref Y Rhyg Primary School
Ty Gwyn Education Centre
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn Y Forwyn
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Ynyswen

Conwy

Closed

Ysgol Awel y Mynydd Primary\u0009\u0009

Ysgol Bod Alaw Primary\u0009\u0009

Ysgol Craig y Don Primary\u0009

Ysgol Cystennin Primary\u0009\u0009

Ysgol Dolwyddelan Primary\u0009

Ysgol Glan Gele Primary\u0009\u0009

Ysgol Nant y Groes Primary\u0009

Ysgol Pen y Bryn Primary\u0009\u0009

Ysgol Porth y Felin Primary\u0009

Ysgol St Elfod Primary\u0009\u0009

Ysgol Talhaiarn Primary\u0009\u0009

Ysgol y Gogarth Special Educational Needs\u0009\u0009

Ysgol Y Plas Primary

Partially open

Ysgol Aberconwy Secondary\u0009\u0009

Ysgol Bendigaid William Davies Primary

Ysgol Capelulo Primary

Ysgol Deganwy Primary

Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy Secondary

Ysgol Eirias Secondary\u0009

Ysgol Glan Conwy Primary\u0009

Ysgol Glan Morfa Primary\u0009

Ysgol Glanwydden Primary\u0009\u0009

Ysgol Gymunedol Cerrigydrudion Primary\u0009

Ysgol Llandrillo yn Rhos Primary\u0009

Ysgol Maes Owen Primary\u0009

Ysgol Mochdre Primary

Ysgol Pencae Primary\u0009

Ysgol San Sior Primary\u0009

Ysgol Sant Joseff Primary

Ysgol St George Primary\u0009

Ysgol Swn y Don Primary\u0009

Ysgol y Creuddyn Secondary\u0009

Ysgol Y Foryd Primary

Unions respond

NEU members said they are striking to save education which faces a teacher recruitment and retainment crisis after years of pay erosion and increased workload. Teachers are leaving the profession for better-paid jobs, the union said. Schools across Wales have reported difficulty recruiting in core subjects such as maths and English as well as the sciences.

NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “The offer of an additional 1.5% added to teachers pay, plus an additional 1.5% lump-sum, is simply not good enough and fails to address either the cost of living crisis, spiralling inflation, nor the damage done to pay since 2010. We have a clear mandate for strike action that is now rescheduled for March 2 in schools across Wales.”

NEU Wales Secretary David Evans added: “NEU Cymru are committed to seeking a resolution to this dispute on behalf of teacher and support staff members employed across Wales. Our demands have been clear, and we will meet with the Minister and his officials as often as necessary to seek to secure a deal that will resolve all issues.

“Whilst we acknowledge that the Welsh Government have made offers that include seeking to address workload and reopening negotiations for 2023/24, those offers still fall short of our members expectations and needs.”

“We are pleased that here in Wales, the Education Minister, Jeremy Miles MS, has put forward some proposals. But unfortunately, we are not in a position where we have anything for our membership to seriously consider. Therefore, it appears that the strike action on Thursday will be going ahead.

“NEU Cymru members do not take strike action lightly. It is with deep regret that they are spending time outside of their classrooms this week.”

“We have a recruitment and retention crisis here in Wales which isn’t going away. This is a ticking time bomb. We need to make the profession attractive and that starts with pay and workload. We are pleased to see the Minister recognises this, but we are not in a position to call off the strikes at the moment.

“A fully-funded, consolidated pay rise is absolutely critical, to help restore the nearly 20% drop in wages for teachers since 2010. For support staff this is around a 27% drop in real terms."

Nasuwt Cymru has also now rejected the new pay offer with that union warning it is committed to a further industrial action ballot of members in Wales unless there is an improved offer. A ballot of members after the first pay offer of 5% did not get enough votes across the threshold for a strike at that time.

The Welsh Government's warning to teachers

The Welsh Government said a decision must come by mid-March for any agreed deal to be backdated in pay packets. A spokesperson said: "Everyone recognises the excellent work of our workforce, but they also recognise the challenging financial constraints we are operating in.

"We believe an offer that is the equivalent of an 8% pay rise, with 6.5% consolidated, is a strong one in the context of a reducing Welsh Government budget. For teachers to be able to benefit from an additional backdated pay rise for 2022-23 an agreement will be needed by mid-March.”

It is understood that in order for the Welsh Government and local authorities to put the necessary administration arrangements in place and manage that within the Welsh Government fiscal framework, a decision is needed by mid-March to ensure that teachers can benefit from a backdated pay rise for 2022-23

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