STRIKES at a Wrexham school are set to go ahead today over restructuring and potential job loss.

Members of the NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union at Ysgol Bryn Alyn - will take the first of three planned days of strike action today.

The school is operating a restructuring process that has seen the loss of a number of head of department roles whilst at the same time employing new staff to senior vacancies.

Adele Slinn, headteacher, said as a school they are deeply saddened that members have decided to take this action.

She said: "The strike action was initially planned in relation to restructuring, potential redundancies within middle management and the use of support plans.

"The school is not making any compulsory redundancies due to the now-completed middle management restructure. The strike is now regarding support plans which are being used to improve the school and address Estyn recommendations regarding Teaching and Learning. 

“Ysgol Bryn Alyn is committed to the highest quality education and therefore the Governors do not feel it is the right approach to remove support plans for those departments or teachers who need to improve their practice.

“Despite ongoing consultation with staff and trade unions, the NASUWT has chosen to exercise their right to strike. 

“The decision to close the school or send pupils home is never taken lightly, but in this instance, as NASUWT staff have elected to take lawful industrial action, I will have no choice but to take appropriate steps to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all pupils.

“We are aware that school closures inconvenience parents and carers, and I have written to parents and guardians to give them notice of the likely impact of the action on this school.”

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: "In anticipation of the changes to the curriculum, employers at Ysgol Bryn Alyn have jumped the gun and moved ahead with unnecessary staffing restructuring, threatening the jobs of subject leaders and causing concern and uncertainty for teachers.

"Unfortunately, this is a growing trend across schools in Wales and it seems that there is a failure to recognise that when the New Curriculum reforms are eventually implemented their success will depend on having available the capacity, dedication and skill of teachers.

"Too many schools are simply using the curriculum reforms as an excuse to make staffing changes, putting the livelihood of teachers and the quality of education of pupils at risk.

"No teacher takes strike action lightly but there is no other option left to them.

"The NASUWT remains ready to engage with the employer to find a resolution to this dispute."

Siôn Amlyn, NASUWT National Executive Member for Wrexham, added: "The fact that members have faced a redundancy process whilst at the same time the school has been recruiting for senior middle leadership roles has left members feeling angry and undervalued.

"Skilled teacher roles are being lost at a time when they are arguably needed more than ever to deliver the demands of the new curriculum."

He added: "The NASUWT’s request for an independent assessment has been rejected by the employer."

Cllr Phil Wynn, lead member for education at Wrexham Council, said: “While we understand that staff have a legal right to strike action, we are obviously disappointed by NASUWT’s decision to pursue this action, and will work with the school to support them during this time.”