A headteacher has hit out at teachers striking in a row over what they say are "adverse management practices". Alberto Otero said the walk outs would impact pupils taking exams .
Teachers at three schools in Wales went on strike in unconnected action for the same reasons, their union said. The walk outs by 79 members of the Nasuwt teachers’ union in Wrexham saw Ysgol Clywedog secondary shut for a day on March 15 when 42 members walked out there. At Acton Park Primary 12 teachers went on strike today (March 16) and 25 members at Darland High in Rossett walked out on March 14.
Five more separate day-long walk outs are planned over the next two weeks at all three schools.
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Alberto Otero, headteacher at Ysgol Clywedog said the action would hit students due to take exams soon. "I am surprised and disappointed by the decision of the Nasuwt to take industrial action," he said.
"All my meetings with the Nasuwt have been cordial and respectful as each party seeks to understand mutual concerns and work in partnership to raise the standard of education the young people of Ysgol Clywedog deserve. I am particularly disappointed as it was my understanding that we were moving towards a resolution.
"Respectful as I am of the right to strike, this decision has an impact on young people's futures, in particular those preparing for final examinations this summer."
Members of the Nasuwt at Acton Park Primary are on strike today (March 16) with a further strike planned there on March 23. Two more strikes are planned at Ysgol Clywedog on March 22 and 29.
Nasuwt members at Darland High walked out on March 14 with two more strike dates planned for that school on March 21 and 30.
In a letter to parents and carers Ysgol Clywedog headteacher Alberto Otero apologised for any inconvenience and said he’d not taken the decision to shut the school for a day lightly.
“The decision to close the school or send students home is never taken lightly, but when staff have elected to tale lawful industrial action I have no choice but to make appropriate steps to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all students,” his letter said.
Nasuwt members have been in dispute at Acton Park for nearly a year, with the first strike in July 2022. The NASUWT has been in dispute with Ysgol Clywedog and Darland High since November 2022 over what it said were “the failure of the school (s) to adhere to Welsh Government and local policies, endorsed and recommended by the Wrexham Local Authority and already implemented in other Wrexham schools.”
The union claimed that at Clywedog and Darland there had also been “an element of victimisation of trade union officials”.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “The responsibility for this industrial action lies firmly with the employer which has failed our members and failed to engage in our efforts to secure a positive resolution. The working conditions of teachers are the learning conditions of their students.
“It is therefore alarming that the employer is refusing to rectify unsustainable workloads, address adverse management and adopt the working practices expected in all schools across Wrexham and Wales more widely.
“Instead of victimising teachers for standing up for their rights in the workplace, the employer should be actively seeking resolution of this dispute.”
Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official Wales, added: “The Nasuwt has continuously presented clear solutions to the problems at these schools to avoid any further escalation. But unfortunately this has not been met by a positive response from the employers, and has now ultimately led to industrial action, despite our best efforts.
“The Nasuwt has made it clear that we will not stand by whilst any member experiences victimisation. Mistreatment of Nasuwt members will only serve to escalate the dispute.”
Darland and Acton Park Primary were approached for comment. A Wrexham Council spokesperson said: “We are not commenting at this point in time.”
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