Pencoedtre High: Latest strikes cancelled at Barry school

Teachers at Penceodtre High have been striking over what they perceive to be a lack of support from the school governing body Vale of Glamorgan Council in disciplining unruly children.

The Barry and District has been there every step of the way standing in the freezing cold with teachers outside the school gates when they first dropped their pens and marking papers on Wednesday, January 11.

We were there for the second round of strikes on January 18 where, the day before, it was revealed influential executive head Debra Thomas had left her role at the school to return to Cowbridge Comprehensive.

In this time we have learnt:

• Between the first and second round of strikes one teacher was allegedly hit in the ribs trying to break up a fight in the school corridors
• Sharon Daly, executive member for the southeast of Wales at NASUWT, says teachers are not striking against the pupils, they are striking against Vale Council
• Teachers want to see harsher punishments for bad behaviour
• One of the biggest problems at the school is internal truancy where pupils are skipping class
• Executive head Debra Thomas, described as the voice of reason, has left the school
• The Vale Council say they are updating the school’s behaviour policy and offering further training to help teachers deal with unruly behaviour
• One teacher told us on the picket line her and colleagues feel “helpless”

Teachers have been striking over governing body's lack of support in disciplining children (Image: Newsquest)

Read more:

• Parents want more discipline at school
• Executive headteacher of Pencoedtre High leaves role
• Pencoedtre High strike: Teachers want discipline instilled

One parent told us they want to see pupils who break the rules and bully teachers expelled.

The more bizarre stories about the school include former head Lee Humphreys running two Caerphilly chip shops on the side while he was head at Pencoedtre, and one teacher described the TikTok craze of pupils swapping uniforms and schools and trying to see how long before they are caught.

NASUWT said today, January 23, this round of strikes have been withdrawn to allow for further talks to take place and emphasised progress had been made.

In the latest statements from both sides, released on January 18, Vale Council say they are committed to continuing the positive discussions.

NASUWT chiefs say as long as the council refuses to act to keep Pencoedtre teachers and pupils safe, they will remain in dispute.

• Staff member was allegedly punched in ribs at the Barry school where teachers have gone on strike over claims not enough is being done to enforce discipline among pupils

One teacher told us they feel 'helpless' in class (Image: Newsquest)

A Vale Council spokesperson said: “The nature of negotiations with trade unions is that they are done in private and not through the media.

“To this end, the council is committed to continuing the positive discussions with Trade Union colleagues in the appropriate forum, so that further strike action can be avoided.

“We are fully aware of the issues affecting staff and are working with the NASUWT to resolve them.”

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.”

Further strikes could take place on January 31 and February 1.

Parents, pupils, teachers, what is going on at Pencoedtre High? Is there violence in the school? How will the proposed strike action affect you? Let us know emailing harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.