Following a day of industrial action last week on Thursday 11th January, teachers at Pencoedtre High School in Barry are on strike again today.

Teachers at Pencoedtre have urgent concerns over violent and abusive behaviour from a small number of pupils at the school. Pencoedtre’s senior leadership team have suggested practical solutions to Vale of Glamorgan Council, but the Council still refuse to implement these solutions within a reasonable and safe timeframe.

Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary for NASUWT, said:

“As long as Vale of Glamorgan Council refuses to act to keep Pencoedtre teachers and pupils safe, they will remain in dispute with NASUWT members. It would be dangerous for us to close this dispute without a reasonable resolution.

“NASUWT will continue to support members at Pencoedtre as they fight for their safety and wellbeing, as well as that of their pupils.”

Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official for Wales, said:

“Over the past week, Pencoedtre teachers have been all over our televisions and newspapers, and the public have shown them immense support. We are grateful for every word of solidarity.

“Pencoedtre teachers have described being used as punch bags by pupils. They have told us about being forced to lock their classroom doors to protect themselves and their pupils from groups of predatory pupils who roam the halls during lessons. This is not an environment where any teacher can be expected to teach effectively, and it certainly isn’t an environment where pupils are empowered to learn. Some are frightened to come into school.

“These horrifying scenarios cannot be allowed to continue. We remain in a national crisis over pupil behaviour, and the Welsh Government needs to develop a plan to tackle the problem as soon as possible.”