NEU Members at Ysgol Gymraeg Mornant agreed in early December to postpone strike action to pursue talks with the employer. Flintshire County Council did everything they could to support a resolution, but the representatives of the school’s governing body have failed to act. Delaying the process and dragging their feet.
NEU members withdrew from mediation after it became increasingly clear that the representatives of the governing body were not taking them, or the issues raised, seriously.
Despite a confused message from the school in December that a child protection review would be undertaken – although at the same time suggesting one had been done. The Chair of Governors deliberately dragged his feet and refused to start the process of finding a suitable independent person to conduct the review. The cost of a review being the reason given. There was then some movement in principle when Flintshire County Council offered to co-fund a review.
Members were then told that the process of finding an independent person was being left to the Headteacher. This was unacceptable to the members, as our action was based on child protection failures by the leadership of the school.
Members know that pupils have left in significant numbers, with more due to leave. Unless there is decisive action by the employer, Mornant’s future will be under threat.
We are calling on Morant school to stop prevaricating and urgently conduct the child protection review without delay – including by speaking with staff and parents, both current and those who may have left during the period under consideration.
Nicola Fitzpatrick, Wales Secretary for the National Education Union Cymru, said:
“NEU members have been treated with disdain by members of the governing body. To drag their heels over a child protection review, which they had promised, on the basis of cost, is obscene. What price the safety of our children at school?”.
Nicola Fitzaptrick added,
“Members are rightly concerned about the future of Ysgol Gymraeg Mornant. The decrease in the number of pupils is staggering for a school of it size. Members, who are not currently in work, are being told of resignations and supply staff telling their agency never to send them to this school again”.