Teachers are planning to strike at a Welsh school due to the growing issue of “violent and abusive behaviour” exhibited by certain students, the teachers claim that this is endangering the well-being and safety of themselves and other pupils.
Members of the NASUWT union are scheduled to engage in strike actions at Caldicot secondary school in Monmouthshire on both Thursday, September 21, and Thursday, September 28. Additionally, there are plans for another four days of strikes in October.
In a vote, 85% of members expressed their support for strike action, as reported by NASUWT.
Additionally, 92% voted in favor of taking action that falls short of a strike. This alternative action entails teachers refraining from teaching pupils deemed to “pose a risk to staff.”
The union stated that discussions with the school, aimed at addressing persistent concerns regarding the school’s management, have proven ineffective in resolving the issues.
The statement contended that the employer is falling short in offering adequate support to staff in addressing instances of violent and abusive behavior.
Furthermore, it noted that what it referred to as insufficient advancement in rectifying unfavorable management practices is having an adverse impact on the well-being, safety, and welfare of both teachers and other students.
The General Secretary of the NASUWT, Dr. Patrick Roach, has accused the school of not fulfilling its fundamental obligation to assist teachers in their teaching roles. He emphasised, “Teachers cannot teach and pupils cannot learn in an environment where there is disruption and violence,”
“Poor pupil behaviour cannot be explained away by attributing it to a teacher’s ability to plan and deliver lessons appropriately, something which parents and the public accept. Monmouthshire council cannot ignore its responsibilities towards its employees or to the pupils in their care. By choosing to strike our members are sending a clear message that they will not tolerate threats to health, safety, and wellbeing of themselves and their pupils.”
