TEACHERS at a Flintshire school took park in the first of six days of planned strike action over issues of alleged 'adverse management' at the school.

32 members of the NASUWT, the teacher's union, yesterday picketed outside Connah's Quay High School over what the union describe as 'adverse management practices' which are having a detrimental effect on the working conditions and welfare of members.

Outside the school Neil Butler, National Treasurer of the NASUWT, said: ''We are out here striking because of the adverse practises of the management of the school.

''We've been in talks with the local authority, the governing body and the management of the school. The talks with the governing body and local authority have been positive, the blockage is with the management of the school.

''We have other strikes planned, so what we want is for the local authority government and management to sit down and get this situation sorted as quickly as possible and change the culture of adverse management at the school.''

Rex Phillips, NASUWT national official for Wales, said: ''Our members responded positively to the progress that has been made between the NASUWT, the governors and the local authority but have been stunned by the failure of the school management to recognise and acknowledge the problems that exist within the school.

“Their hopes for an improvement in the working practices which are being visited on them have been dashed. Command and control management has no place in our schools.

“Collegiality and cooperation must be the order of the day, if staff are to feel valued and that their professional opinions will be respected. The NASUWT remains willing to engage with the employer to work towards this objective.”

Claire Homard, Flintshire Council's director of education and youth, said: ''“The chair of governors and headteacher have taken appropriate measures to keep the disruption for pupils to a minimum and to keep parents and carers informed.

“The local authority has been kept fully informed. The school will be open to all pupils in years 10 and 11 but closed to pupils in years 7, 8 and 9. There will be no disruption to pupils involved in external examinations.”