Teachers set to strike again at Pencoedtre High in Barry

You would have been forgiven for thinking the raft of changes Pencoedtre High announced this week was enough to halt strike action, however, teachers union NEU Cymru has confirmed Pencoedtre teachers will be back on the picket line tomorrow, January 31, and Thursday, February 1.

NEU Cymru say members are still receiving concerns from staff about the inability of the school's leadership to tackle high levels of behavioural issues and an increase in internal truancy by pupils.

On January 25, governing body Vale of Glamorgan Council announced a raft of changes to the school, including more support staff, new structures and a new executive head teacher.

After Debra Thomas returned to her permanent role as head of Cowbridge Comp, Whitmore head Innes Robinson was drafted in to turn the school's problems around.

Speaking about the challenge he faces, Mr Robinson, who takes on the role as executive head at Pencoedtre for the next three years, said: “I would say it is a challenge I have already done and in lots of ways… I find the challenge exciting and I think I can make the difference.

“Pupils want to have consistency, They don’t like to be in situations where things are out of control and we have just got to make sure that that changes.

"What I have got utter confidence in is that over time the school will come out of special measures and it will become a school that Barry can be proud of.”

New head of Pencoedtre Innes Robinson (Image: Supplied)

Despite the changes teachers are back on the picket line tomorrow (Image: Newsquest)

Despite these promising words, teachers are going on strike.

Senior Wales officer of National Education Union Cymru, Debbie Scott, said: “Our members in Pencoedtre High School feel they have no 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 their own or the pupils’ health, safety and wellbeing.

What are the new plans set for Pencoedtre High school in Barry?

• New executive head Innes Robinson;
• Two new assistant headteachers have been recruited with a focus on pupil health and wellbeing, behaviour, and attendance;
• Additional pupil support staff;
• More youth workers present to assist at various times throughout the day and after school;
• Family engagement officer and liaison and engagement officer have been employed;
• New gym manager;
• Increase in the number of learning support assistants at the school in corridors and communal areas.

Read more

• The interview with new Pencoedtre executive head Innes Robinson
• Barry school Pencoedtre High appoints new exec head
• Executive headteacher of Pencoedtre High Debra Thomas leaves role
• Pencoedtre High School teachers in second day of strikes

“The employer is failing to deal with the pupil behaviour, while internal truancy continues to be a big concern and is having a detrimental effect on learning.

“Teachers cannot teach, and pupils cannot learn in an environment where there is this level of disruption, and our members will continue to take action until these issues have been dealt with appropriately.”

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