Members of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union at Llangors CiW Primary School, will take their eighth day of strike action on Thursday, May 9. 

Video from strike action at Llangors CiW Primary School on Thursday, May 2.

The dispute continues with Powys County Council not intervening with the ongoing redundancy process.  Powys Local Authority agrees that an independent investigation is required to explore concerns around the school’s management and governance, but have not suspended the redundancy process. Delays have taken place due to the Local Authority not appointing an independent investigator. Powys Local Authority have not engaged in negotiations with NASUWT. 

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary said: “Powys Local Authority needs to recognise the urgency of getting round the negotiating table with NASUWT. It is not acceptable for the Llangors Governors and Powys Local Authority to be facing a fifth week of strike action and not even invite the teachers’ representatives to a meeting to discuss their concerns and ideas for resolving the dispute.” 

Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official Wales said: “Given that the Local Authority is implicated in the situation at the school, NASUWT has directed members not to engage with any Local Authority Officials regarding quality assurance measures. This will not impact the children but will send a message loud and clear to the Local Authority that they cannot hide from what is happening at Llangors. It’s time to talk.”

Helen Johns, NASUWT National Executive Member said: “The redundancy process must be suspended for an investigation to be given a practical chance of being meaningful.  It is not acceptable for a seemingly flawed, avoidable redundancy dismissal process to be allowed to carry on whilst there are deep concerns over adverse management and governance at the school. Teachers, many parents, two Foundation Governors who have resigned and, we understand, the Swansea and Brecon Diocese are all being ignored.  Given the lack of progress, NASUWT has presented the employer with notice of more days of strike action to run discontinuously throughout June.”

A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “The council take the concerns raised in the NASUWT Dispute Resolution Requests services and, as such, are supporting the Governing Body to commission an independent investigation. This information has been clearly communicated to the NASUWT, representatives from the Swansea and Brecon Diocese, school staff and the wider school community.

“Governing bodies have a legal duty to set a balanced budget and failure to do so could result in the council taking appropriate action. However, the council has been proactively supporting schools across the county in their work to realign and set their budgets.

“The council fully supports the school’s governing body in their pro-active approach in dealing with these financial pressures and their work to realign and set a balanced budget and believes that the school has acted in a correct and appropriate manner with the council’s support.

“The school’s share of the schools delegated budget is determined by the school funding formula and is based on pupil numbers. As the school’s pupil numbers has been below 150 pupils since 2018/19, the funding provided through the formula since then would be based on a five-class structure. Additional grant funding from Welsh Government during and immediately after the pandemic has allowed the school to keep a six-class structure in place for a period of time.

“Council officers met with the trade union on 8 March and again on 12 April regarding Llangors Church in Wales Primary School. Relevant officers will continue discussions with them on this matter as it progresses through formal processes.

“Council officers are working closely with the school and the Governing Body to minimise disruption caused by the strike and maintain an open dialogue.”