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Abbie Wightwick

Parents told they may get a text after 9am on school strike day asking them to collect their child

Angry parents have criticised their son’s school over its planning for the teachers' strike next week. Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr in Bridgend said in a letter to parents that it intends to stay open on February 1, but that may change at the very last minute.

Headteacher Jayne Dart has warned in a letter to parents that the school may text them after 9am asking them to come back to pick up their children after all. The parents of a five year old pupil at the school, said it was unreasonable to expect parents to send their children in at all on strike day with such uncertainty.

The parents, who did not want to be identified because they are key workers, said they were angry at what they see as the blunt tone of the letter. It says plans to open could change at the last minute on the morning of the strike.

Read more: Headteacher explains why he's shutting his school when teachers strike next week

“If classes need to be closed you will receive a text after 9am to collect your child(ren),” the letter from the headteacher said.

The boy's parents branded this “unacceptably late” and said it would be very difficult to drop children off and then have to head straight back from work to collect them. The couple, who both work, said it would be easier for the school to decide to shut if there was so much uncertainty.

Hundreds of schools across Wales will shut for the strike with almost all in Cardiff and Swansea affected. Members of the NEU Cymru voted to strike in a row over pay and conditions with three more strike days planned in February and March.

The parents said they are barred from striking in their public service jobs and they don't agree with teachers for walking out.

The boy's father said: “I understand they have got problems but there is no apology in the letter from the school. If they are not sure then the school should just be shut. I don’t agree with strikes and this strike impacts everyone with children in school.

"There is massive disruption to education after covid and they haven’t thought about parents and children.No one is happy with their pay but I don’t agree with strikes.”

The boy's mother said she was annoyed by the letter and with so much uncertainty would not be sending their son in on that day anyway now.

“We have arranged for our son to stay with a family member while we go to work. I am shocked by the fact they said we can drop the children off if they aren’t sure they’ll stay open.

“A majority of schools are shutting so they should just do that too. I might get to work and suddenly get a text to pick him up. They are not thinking about the impact on working parents and I am frustrated about the strike and I am frustrated by this letter.”

A Bridgend Council spokesperson said: “Individual schools are responsible for undertaking their own risk assessments and for making the final decision on whether to close their school fully or to just some cohorts of pupils.

“As it is the intention of all schools to remain open unless they are unable to do so, it may not be until the morning of the strike that some schools can determine whether they can remain open or will need to close fully or partially.

“Schools will provide updates through their usual communication methods and would like to thank parents/carers for their understanding at this time.”

The full text of the letter to parents of children at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr

Dear Parents / Carers

Teacher Strike Information

Following on from BCBC’s letter dated 25.01.23 we’d like to share our school information regarding the teacher strike action with you.

The risk assessment currently highlights that the school will be open as normal on Wednesday 1 February. However, the situation and circumstances may change on the morning of the strike and we may need to close some classes for health and safety and safeguarding reasons. The school will make the best effort to stay open to all pupils where possible

in line with strike conditions and Welsh Government and union guidelines. This decision cannot be made before 9am and, therefore, if classes need to be closed you will receive a text after 9am to collect your child(ren).

Diolch am eich cefnogaeth parhaus / Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs S Jayne Nik Dart, Pennaeth / Headteacher Cadeirydd y Llywodraethwyr / Chair of Governors

The full list of schools in Bridgend affected by next week's strike :

School

Current status (27/01/2023)

Abercerdin Primary School

tbc

Afon-y-Felin Primary School

tbc

Archdeacon John Lewis C in W

Closed

Betws Primary School

tbc

Blaengarw Primary School

tbc

Brackla Primary School

Partially open

Bryncethin Primary School

Closed

Brynmenyn Primary School

Closed

Bryntirion Infants School

tbc

Caerau Primary School

Closed

Cefn Cribwr Primary School

Partially open

Cefn Glas Infants School

tbc

Coety Primary School

Closed

Corneli Primary School

tbc

Coychurch (Llangrallo) Primary School

tbc

Croesty Primary School

Closed

Cwmfelin Primary School

tbc

Ffaldau Primary School

tbc

Garth Primary School

Closed

Litchard Primary School

tbc

Llangewydd Junior School

tbc

Llangynwyd Primary School

tbc

Maes yr Haul Primary School

Closed

Mynydd Cynffig Primary School

tbc

Nantyffyllon Primary School

Closed

Nantymoel Primary School

tbc

Newton Primary School

tbc

Nottage Primary School

Partially open

Ogmore Vale Primary School

Partially open

Oldcastle Primary School

tbc

Pencoed Primary School

Closed

Penybont Primary School

tbc

Penyfai C in W Primary School

tbc

Pîl Primary School School

tbc

Plasnewydd Primary School

Closed

Porthcawl Primary School

Partially open

St Marys & St Patricks Catholic Primary School

Closed

St Marys Catholic Primary School

Partially open

St Roberts Catholic Primary School

tbc

Tondu Primary School

Closed

Trelales Primary School

Closed

Tremains Primary School

tbc

Tynyrheol Primary School

Closed

West Park Primary School

tbc

YGG Calon y Cymoedd

Partially open

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr

tbc

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cynwyd Sant

Open

Ysgol Y Ferch o'r Sger, Corneli

Partially open

Archbishop McGrath RC High School

Closed

Brynteg School

Closed

Bryntirion Comprehensive School

Closed

Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen

tbc

Cynffig Comprehensive School

tbc

Maesteg School

tbc

Pencoed Comprehensive School

Closed

Porthcawl Comprehensive School

Closed

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd

Closed

Ysgol Bryn Castell

Closed

Heronsbridge

tbc

The Bridge Alternative Provision

Closed

Read next:

  • The full list of schools in Cardiff closed due to teacher strikes next week
  • Teachers explain why they've taken 'tough' decision to strike as Welsh schools in 'crisis'
  • Nine out of 10 schools will run out of cash within a year, headteachers warn
  • Covid pandemic 'negatively affected' progress of 'most pupils' in Wales, says Welsh education chief
  • Matt Hancock donates £10,000 to charity - less than 5% of £320k I'm A Celebrity fee
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