Flintshire Council education chief responds as Flint High School faces strike action
Teachers at Flint High School are taking strike action on Wednesday 10 September in a dispute over claims of workplace bullying and pupil behaviour.
The National Education Union Cymru (NEU) said members voted to strike following concerns about what they describe as bullying behaviour from the headteacher and a failure by school leaders to address serious behaviour issues.
Union officials said discussions with the school had taken place over the past two years but claimed there had been little progress.
Nicola Fitzpatrick, Wales Secretary for the NEU Cymru, said: “Our members in Flint 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, and that they deserve dignity in the workplace.
“The employer is failing to deal with the workplace bullying and the pupil behaviour and this is having a detrimental effect on learning.
“Over a period of nearly two years members have stood together and are demonstrating a level of collective solidarity which should inspire all workers to demand dignity in their workplace. Members striking today do so with the full backing of the wider union, the largest education trade union in Europe.
“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.”
Cheryl Latham, NEU Flintshire Branch Secretary, said: “We were horrified by the bullying behaviour which members told us about when we first met with them. We advised members that they had to stand up for themselves, and they have done so with remarkable courage.
“I know that the wider NEU membership will back them in their pursuit of workplace justice.”
Responding to the strike, Claire Homard, Chief Officer for Education and Youth at Flintshire Council, said: “The National Education Union (NEU) has announced that its members at Flint High School will be taking strike action on Wednesday and are considering a further five dates in September. The union has stated that this is in response to concerns raised about the headteacher and the handling of behavioural issues.
“I can confirm that due processes have been followed by the school Governors and that grievances raised in relation to allegations of bullying were not upheld. The school has also undertaken a thorough review of its pastoral systems and behaviour management policies, and new initiatives have been put in place. These are already showing a positive impact at the start of the new academic year.
“The headteacher, school leadership team and Flintshire County Council are committed to working constructively with the NEU to bring this action to an end as soon as possible to minimise disruption. Parents and carers have been informed of the closure on Wednesday and will be kept updated in relation to potential further strike dates.”
Chair of Governors, Brian Harvey, said: “We know parents and carers may be concerned about the strike action planned by the National Education Union in September. I want to reassure the school community that the Governors have taken all concerns extremely seriously. Formal grievance processes were followed and allegations of bullying were not upheld.
“The school has strengthened its pastoral care and behaviour systems, and we are already seeing positive results at the start of this new term. We value and support our dedicated staff and are committed to working to resolve this. Our focus remains firmly on ensuring pupils are supported and are able to thrive.”
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