TEACHERS at a Holton Primary school in Barry are set to take strike action for seven consecutive days; starting on Monday, January 13.

The action is over alleged adverse management practices relating to staff restructuring and the detrimental and inappropriate treatment of members which is impacting their health and welfare.

The Vale council said it would endeavour to keep the school open.

Strike action, from some of the staff who are members of the NASUWT, is scheduled to take place from Monday, January 13 to, and including, Friday, January 17.

Further action is planned for Monday, January 20 and Tuesday, January 21 with Wednesday, January 29 and Thursday, January 30 cited as potential dates.

A one-day strike took place in December last year.

Neil Butler, NASUWT national official Wales said: “Strike action is always a last resort for teachers and it is regrettable that members of the NASUWT have been left with no option but to call the strike action at Holton Primary School.

“Parents and the wider community should be left in no doubt that the NASUWT remains willing to engage with the employer to find a resolution to this dispute, with a view to withdrawing the planned industrial action.

“If the strike does go ahead, the NASUWT deeply regrets any disruption the action will cause pupils and parents.”

Explaining the reason for the strike action in December, NASUSWT executive member for Vale of Glamorgan, Mark Morris said: “Many of the issues at Holton centre on the inappropriate implementation of statutory and local provisions by the school management and we are calling on the local authority to investigate and act to tackle this

“That members have felt they had no option other than to take strike action is indicative of the strength of feeling amongst them.

“That they have to resort to such action in order to defend their statutory entitlements is appalling.

“The disclosure of health, safety and welfare concerns has been ignored.

“It is time that local authorities in Wales recognise their duties to all employees and implement and enforce the statutory duties required of them.

“Without these conditions being added to teachers’ statutory terms and conditions and properly regulated by Estyn then inappropriate implementation of Welsh Government policy will continue to founder on lack of funding and the exploitation of teachers’ goodwill – to the detriment of their health.”

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: “As a result of strike action brought by the NASUWT, Holton Primary School could close for a number of days in January.

“We are currently considering options to enable the school to remain open and will update parents as soon as possible.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this is causing and would stress we remain committed to talks with the NASUWT in an effort to resolve this matter at the earliest opportunity.”