School leaders warn delay could push pay rise into New Year as ministers refuse to explain decision

A MAJOR row has erupted over teachers’ pay after the Welsh Government delayed publication of an independent pay review report until September, prompting accusations from education leaders that ministers are treating staff with “disrespect”.

NAHT Cymru, which represents school leaders across Wales, has condemned the move as “completely unnecessary” and warned it could delay agreement — and payment — of any September pay rise for teachers and school leaders until late 2026 or even the New Year.

The Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) report for the 2026/27 academic year had been expected to be published on Friday (Jun 12), followed by a four-week consultation with unions.

However, education unions were informed at a meeting on Wednesday (Jun 10) that publication had instead been postponed until September.

Laura Doel, national secretary of NAHT Cymru, said the decision risked damaging relations between ministers and the education workforce.

She said: “This completely unnecessary decision will delay agreement and receipt of this September’s pay award for dedicated school leaders and teachers, possibly even until the New Year.

“The Welsh Government has received the completed report, and there is absolutely no reason to sit on it.

“This is not the way for any new government to treat hardworking education professionals or to establish a constructive relationship with trade unions and we sincerely hope it is not a sign of things to come.”

The union is urging ministers to reverse course and publish the report before the summer term ends, allowing consultation to take place ahead of the new school year.

NAHT Cymru also called on Plaid Cymru ministers to honour the previous administration’s commitment to ensure pay awards in Wales at least match those agreed in England.

After more than a decade in which teachers’ pay fell in real terms, Ms Doel said any award must be above inflation and fully funded to avoid further pressure on already stretched school budgets.

She added: “Treating teachers and leaders with respect and offering due recognition and reward for a job which has become increasingly difficult is vital if our schools are to recruit and retain the talented professionals needed to deliver a first-rate education for pupils.”

In response to questions from The Herald, the Welsh Government confirmed it had received the completed report but declined to explain why publication had been delayed or whether any eventual pay rise would be backdated.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have received the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body’s report and are giving careful consideration to all its recommendations including pay.

“We will publish the report and consult on a proposed pay award for 2026/27 after the summer holidays.”

However, ministers did not directly answer questions from The Herald about who made the decision to delay publication, whether Wales would match any pay award agreed in England, whether schools would receive full funding to cover any increase, or whether teachers would receive backdated pay if agreement is delayed.

The dispute comes at a sensitive time for Welsh education, with schools already facing recruitment and retention pressures, rising costs and continued concern over stretched budgets.

NAHT represents more than 38,000 school leaders across the UK, including heads and senior staff in early years, primary, secondary and special schools.

Campaigners urge supporters to pack County Hall as councillors prepare to decide future of rural school

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Ysgol Clydau are urging families and residents to turn out in force next week, describing Monday’s council meeting as the community’s “last chance to be heard” before a final decision on the school’s future.

Supporters of the north Pembrokeshire school have launched a fresh appeal ahead of a meeting at County Hall in Haverfordwest on Monday (Jun 15), where councillors are expected to determine whether the Welsh-medium village school will close.

In a strongly-worded social media appeal, the Save Ysgol Clydau campaign called on residents to stand together and show councillors the impact the school has had on children and families.

Campaigners said: “If you have ever said ‘someone should do something’ about the proposed closure of Ysgol Clydau, that someone is all of us on Monday morning.”

The group is asking supporters to gather outside County Hall at 9:00am, saying the meeting could be the community’s final opportunity to influence the outcome.

The campaign argues that Ysgol Clydau plays a unique role not only in education but also as the heart of a Welsh-speaking rural community.

Supporters say the school has transformed the lives of some pupils, helped vulnerable families during difficult times, and provides opportunities that could be lost forever if closure plans go ahead.

“We know many people are disappointed by the decision that has already been made,” campaigners said.

“We know many feel their voices have not been heard. But if we stay silent now, there will be no voice left to hear.”

The proposed closure has sparked strong feelings locally, with many residents warning that the loss of another rural school would deal a major blow to village life in north Pembrokeshire.

Campaigners have adopted the slogan: “Once a rural school is gone, it’s gone forever.”

Monday’s gathering at County Hall is expected to attract parents, pupils, former pupils and residents from across the area as the long-running battle over the school reaches a critical stage.

A spokesperson for the campaign said the message was simple: “Stand with our children. Stand with our community. Stand with Ysgol Clydau.”

Photo caption:

Save our school: Campaigners are urging supporters to attend County Hall on Monday (Pic: Save Ysgol Clydau).

WELSH colleges are changing the way they tackle misogyny, harmful online behaviour and peer-on-peer abuse through an international project backed by Taith funding.

The collaboration, led by ColegauCymru, links further education colleges in Wales with partners in Canada to share practical approaches to promoting respectful relationships and improving learner wellbeing.

The project was developed following concerns highlighted by Estyn about peer-on-peer sexual harassment in further education settings.

It also supports Welsh Government priorities around tackling gender-based violence, improving learner wellbeing and creating safe, inclusive learning environments.

Five Welsh further education colleges worked with five colleges and universities in Canada through an international Community of Practice, allowing staff to share experiences, develop ideas and look at new ways of addressing common challenges.

Knowledge-sharing visits between Wales and Canada focused on issues including misogyny, harmful online content, peer-on-peer abuse and the need to engage young men in open conversations about relationships and masculinity.

One of the main lessons from the project was the importance of involving young men directly in discussions about healthy relationships, online influence and harmful attitudes.

The work has also led to wider partnerships with She Is Not Your Rehab, a New Zealand-based anti-violence movement, and Our Voice Our Journey, a youth-focused social impact organisation.

Working with these organisations, ColegauCymru delivered regional sessions in North and South Wales to help colleges promote respectful relationships and challenge misogyny.

At one event at Cardiff City Stadium, around 400 young men from across South Wales took part in discussions led by international speaker Matt Brown on misogyny, masculinity and respectful relationships.

Staff involved in the project say it has already influenced how colleges approach learner wellbeing, with greater emphasis on training, early intervention and embedding conversations about healthy relationships into college life.

Siân Holleran, International Project Manager at ColegauCymru, said: “Taith funding has been critical in enabling us to connect with international partners and bring global expertise into a national priority for Wales.

“This has created space for honest conversations, practical solutions and lasting change for both staff and learners, while also positioning Welsh colleges as leaders in addressing these shared challenges internationally.”

Welsh and Canadian participants also delivered a joint workshop at the ColegauCymru Annual Conference, where they shared recommendations and discussed future priorities for the sector.

Susana Galván, Executive Director of Taith, said: “This project reflects Wales’s growing role as a confident, internationally engaged nation. Organisations across Wales are using international partnerships to address shared challenges while developing approaches shaped around the needs of Welsh learners and communities.

“Through Taith, we are supporting a uniquely Welsh approach that combines global partnerships with a strong focus on equity, wellbeing and inclusion; helping ensure that international learning directly benefits people across Wales.

“It also demonstrates the growing international interest in learning from Wales, as we share our expertise while working together to address shared global challenges.”

ColegauCymru has since secured further Taith funding to expand the work, including the development of new bystander training for learners and staff across the further education sector in Wales.

The organisation says the next phase will help ensure the impact of the international collaboration continues to grow across Welsh colleges.