TEACHERS ‘SICK’ OF SCHOOL SET TO WALK OUT:

TEACHERS who “feel sick” at the thought of going to work at a Welsh comprehensive are planning on going on “strike” over allegations of bullying and unhappiness with the way the school is being managed.

It is understood 43 of the 48 teachers at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School in Brackla, Bridgend, are planning on “walking out” on January 15, 16, 29 and 30.

It is not known whether or not the school will be open to all pupils on the proposed dates yet.

Teaching union, the NASUWT, confirmed it was involved in a dispute at the school and it suspended one day of strike action before Christmas as progress was being made in resolving the dispute.

However, the union has not commented on the latest proposed “strikes”, which some teachers have said will take place.

One teacher claimed there was a “culture of fear” at the school.

“People are too afraid to speak out, the atmosphere at the school is bad. People are off on sick due to stress, it’s not good at all,” claimed the teacher, who did not want to be named.

“We have been building up to this for the last couple of years, there’s been some big changes with the timetable and how the day works but the reason why we are going on strike is to do with how the school is run and the decisions that have been made and the way staff are treated.”

“People have been sacked for silly, various reasons and also disciplinaries for silly, personal reasons and there’s just been a climate of fear which has grown within the school – enough is enough. It’s the first time in the school’s history that we are striking. It’s the worst it’s ever been and people are scared to speak out.”

Another teacher, who also did not want to be named, added:

“There needs to be some kind of dialogue with the staff,” while another member of staff claimed: “We are spoken down to if anyone challenges anything, we are not allowed to ask any questions.”

A spokesman for Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School said: “The last five years have seen huge improvements in both standards and results at the school.

“With pupil achievements at an all-time high, the school has moved from an ‘amber’ category to ‘green’, and has held this higher banding for the last two years in a row.

“Against this backdrop of success, it is disappointing to learn that some staff wish to take industrial action, especially as the school has been working with NASUWT to address their concerns. The school is approaching the NASUWT for further clarification as if the industrial action goes ahead, it will inevitably have an effect on our pupils and is likely to cause a great deal of disruption for parents.”