NEU Cymru members at Caldicot Comprehensive school will be taking strike action on Wednesday 25th October following concerns over violent and abusive behaviour by pupils towards staff, which the school has not dealt with appropriately.
Discussions between the school and both the NEU and NASUWT have failed to make any progress in addressing the school’s approach to behaviour, and addressing the adverse management practices that are affecting the health, safety and welfare of their members and the pupils they have a duty of care towards.
Senior Wales Officer of the National Education Union Cymru, Debbie Scott, said:
“Our members in Caldicot Comprehensive feel they have no other choice but to take industrial action. No one takes the decision to go out on strike lightly, but by choosing to strike, our members are sending a clear message to the school that they will not tolerate threats to the health, safety and well-being of themselves or their pupils.
“The employer is failing to provide appropriate support to staff in dealing with pupil behaviour and therefore failing to provide a safe working environment. A number of NEU members have had to take time off with stress due to these behaviour issues, and the school has had to employ a number of supply teachers which costs money which would otherwise help the pupils’ education.
“Our members are taking this action for pupils as well as staff as several pupils have also reported that they feel intimidated and are unhappy at school due to behaviour of other children.
“Teachers cannot teach, and pupils cannot learn, in an environment where there is disruption and violence, and our members will continue to take action until these issues have been dealt with appropriately.”
ENDS
Press contacts:
The National Education Union is an amalgamation of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and National Union of Teachers (NUT), formed on 1 September 2017. Please see the below contact details for assistance:
Debbie Scott – Senior Wales Officer - National Education Union, Tŷ Sinnott, 18 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff CF24 5PJ. Mob: 07815 069664.
e-mail: [email protected]
Stuart Williams, Wales Policy Officer (Welsh language spokesperson) - National Education Union, Tŷ Sinnott, 18 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff CF24 5PJ. Tel: 02920 491 818. Mob: 07795 295 355. e-mail: [email protected]
Note to editors:
There will be a picket line outside the school (25th October 2023) between 7.30 – 9.30 Caldicot Comprehensive School, Caldicot, NP26 5XA
Emma Rose, NEU President, will be available on the picket, together with NEU reps and members from the school.
Debbie Scott, Senior Wales Officer will be on the picket line, if you need to contact her: 07815069664
Please let us know if you plan to attend.