Education

Anti-strike proposals an attack on devolution says NAHT Cymru

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2024

THE GOVERNMENT’S proposed minimum service levels for schools are ‘draconian, unnecessary, and an attack on devolution’, school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru says.

In its response to the government consultation, which closes today, NAHT Cymru says the legislation cuts across devolved powers by the Welsh Government and would effectively remove the right to strike from most school staff – and especially head teachers given that most schools only have one such role.

The new laws would make it legal to sack striking education workers who have been issued with ‘work notices’ and will allow hefty fines to be imposed on unions.

NAHT Cymru says the proposals fail to recognise legislation in Wales, such as the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015; the Trade Union (Wales) Act 2017 and Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023 – all of which look to strengthen workers and employers’ rights and promote working together to resolve disputes where possible.

Far from ensuring a ‘minimum’ service, the union says requiring all vulnerable, critical worker and exam groups to be in school would mean a majority of pupils attending and all schools being required to open on strike days.

NAHT Cymru National Secretary Laura Doel has condemned the legislation, saying: “The proposals by the UK government aim to undermine the principles of social partnership and are a direct attack on the devolution settlement.

“The Department for Education (DfE) has no idea of the systems in place that manage and maintain Welsh schools and the UK Government has no right to involve itself in matters that do not concern it.

“School leaders across Wales face significant challenges, particularly when it comes to pay, workload and funding and we are currently working with the Welsh Government to address those issues.

“Having said that, we will not hesitate to take further industrial action if it is the will of our members and we will do everything in our power to protect those rights.”

NAHT Cymru says there was no clear evidence of detriment to pupils during last year’s industrial action by education unions, which included a strike by teachers – but that cuts to education and chronic underfunding have far-reaching implications for the delivery of education.

Referring to last year’s action in Wales, during which NAHT Cymru took action short of strike, the response continues: ‘Teachers, school leaders and support staff have taken part in industrial action to defend their pay and working conditions, to prevent a worsening of the staffing shortage and to restore the quality of our education services. The introduction of minimum levels of service will not resolve these issues, but they will impact workers ability to do something about them.’

In its response, NAHT Cymru also highlights the principle that union members need the freedom to withdraw their labour if their workplace is for any reason considered unsafe.

It points out that the proposals do not allow workplace notices requiring staff to work to be appealed or for any independent oversight of disputes that arise. There is no provision for meaningful consultation with unions and no obligation to consult individuals identified in a work notice as being required to work during a strike and is completely lacking in reference to the devolved governments at all.

NAHT Cymru has welcomed education minister Jeremey Miles’ response to the legislation, after he wrote to the DfE stating the Welsh Government will continue to work with employers and unions under social partnership to resolve disputes.

Paul Whiteman, NAHT’s general secretary, said: “The government’s proposals are a hostile attack on the basic democratic right of workers to withdraw their labour.

“Strike action will always be a last resort for dedicated education professionals. Sadly, however, it is sometimes the only way to engage tin-eared governments and employers in serious talks about issues which may not only affect their working conditions, safety and livelihoods – but also their ability to offer the education all children deserve.

“These proposals will not help to prevent industrial disputes but will make it even harder to resolve them and for dedicated school staff to act when they fear education is being devalued. If that happens, ultimately it is children who will suffer.”

NAHT Cymru is calling for the UK government to retract the proposals and enter meaningful negotiations with education unions after it abandoned talks last year.

It urges ministers to ‘learn from other nations and create a culture of social dialogue and balanced cooperation through the introduction of sector-wide collective bargaining, together with the clear legal recognition of a positive right to strike.’

The union says the proposals are ‘highly likely to fall foul of equality law’, arguing that school leaders who are more likely to be required to work are often older. It points out that a majority of the workforce are female, and that the approach taken was ‘effectively discriminating against’ staff at schools with a higher proportion of pupils with additional learning needs (ALN), vulnerable and critical worker children.

NAHT Cymru adds the legislation would ‘make the UK an outlier among comparable nations’, undermining a host of international human rights and labour law commitments. These include the United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, European Social Charter and commitments through the International Labour Organisation.

Education

Teaching assistant struck off after asking pupil for photos of her body

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A FORMER teaching assistant at Haverfordwest High School has been banned from working in education after sending highly inappropriate messages to two female pupils, including asking one girl to send him photos of her body.

Samuel Davies, who was employed at the school through apprentice agency Ap Prentis, was removed from the classroom in October 2022 when safeguarding concerns were raised. An Education Workforce Council (EWC) panel has now found his conduct to be sexually motivated and amounting to unacceptable professional behaviour.

Messages sent under false name

The panel heard that Davies contacted two mid-teen pupils on Snapchat using the name “Sam Bear Davies”. One pupil identified as Learner B received messages asking whether she felt comfortable sending him pictures. In one message he wrote: “I want to see that body and a few pics maybe?” followed by further requests for images.

Another girl identified as Pupil A accepted a friend request from the same account and was shocked to receive the message: “Oh hey, I am your teacher. Do not tell anyone, I would get into trouble, but I think you are really attractive.”

Davies also warned one of the girls not to tell anyone he had contacted her because he would “get into trouble”.

Both pupils later provided screenshots to senior staff which resulted in Davies being escorted off school grounds while an internal investigation began.

Previous concerns about boundary issues

Deputy headteacher and safeguarding lead Tracy Edwards told the hearing she had already spoken to Davies several times about his over familiar behaviour with pupils. Concerns had been raised including allegations that he offered teenagers a drag of a vape off school premises and that he had shown pupils photos of himself vaping in a school toilet. There were also reports that he had been overheard discussing pubs and clubs with under eighteens.

Although some of the earlier claims could not be verified, his behaviour escalated and a formal complaint was made once the social media messages were shared with staff.

Davies resigned from his role in January 2023. Police reviewed the matter but did not take further action.

Panel finds sexual motivation

The EWC committee found a number of allegations proven and concluded that Davies had deliberately targeted children under sixteen and that his actions were sexually motivated.

Panel chair Robert Newsome said Davies had abused his position and caused direct harm to pupils. He noted that Davies had shown no engagement with the disciplinary process, no insight and no remorse.

“This was a pattern that developed after he began his employment,” he said. “He knew what he was doing was wrong and took steps to hide it. His actions place him as a significant risk to learners.”

Davies did not attend the hearing and provided no representation. During the school’s internal investigation he denied all allegations.

Struck off indefinitely

The committee ordered that Davies be removed from the EWC register with immediate effect. He cannot apply for reinstatement for at least five years.

He has 28 days to appeal the decision to the High Court.

Community

Potential Ysgol Clydau potential closure ‘deeply concerning’

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE LAUNCH of a public consultation on the potential closure of Pembrokeshire school Ysgol Clydau just before Christmas has been called “deeply concerning” and unfair to local families.

At the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members backed a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which included statutory consultation on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and Ysgol Clydau in Tegryn.

A plea on behalf of Ysgol Clydau was previously made by Cllr Iwan Ward, local member, who said it was “the heart of our society not just a school, it’s family, a community, an anchor for children who deserve the opportunity to grow”.

He added that closure was “a disaster for the future of education locally” and was “not fair and was not moral”.

The Ysgol Clydau consultation has now been launched, on the eve of a plea to keep the school open being heard at County Hall.

A council statement accompanying the launch of the consultation says: “At its meeting on May 8, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population.”

A petition, opposing closure of the school, on the council’s own website, generated 648 responses, meaning it crossed the threshold to be heard at full council.

That petition call, along with a similar one for Manorbier school, which also crossed the threshold, with 1,511 signatures, is to be heard by councillors at the December 12 meeting of full council.

The Ysgol Clydau petition states: “We demand that Pembrokeshire County Council reconsider its decision to close Ysgol Clydau and instead prioritise the needs of our community by keeping the school open. We oppose the closure of Ysgol Clydau and call for full public scrutiny before any decision is made.

“We urge you to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the community, listen to our concerns, and work with us to find alternative solutions that support the needs of our children and families.”

Paul Davies MS

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies has voiced his opposition to the proposal to close Ysgol Clydau, describing the timing of the consultation—just before Christmas—as “deeply concerning” and unfair to local families.

Mr Davies also highlighted the impact that closing Ysgol Clydau would have on the local community and the Welsh language.

“Ysgol Clydau is a crucial part of the local community, and its closure would have a huge impact on the local area. It’s unacceptable that this consultation has been launched without any discussion with local stakeholders and announcing it just before Christmas is very disappointing.

Education

Paul Davies MS opposes proposed closure of Ysgol Clydau

Published

3 days ago

December 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Senedd Member criticises ‘deeply concerning’ timing of consultation

LOCAL Senedd Member Paul Davies has spoken out against Pembrokeshire County Council’s proposal to close Ysgol Clydau, warning that the timing of the public consultation — launched in the weeks before Christmas — is “deeply concerning” and unfair to affected families.

Mr Davies said the school plays a vital role in the community, and that any attempt to close it would have a damaging impact locally, including on efforts to promote and protect the Welsh language.

“Ysgol Clydau is a crucial part of the local community, and its closure would have a huge impact on the local area,” he said. “It’s unacceptable that this consultation has been launched without any discussion with local stakeholders, and announcing it just before Christmas is very disappointing.”

He pointed to the school’s strong record, noting that Estyn inspectors highlighted positive relationships between staff and pupils and praised a curriculum that makes purposeful use of the surrounding area to inspire curiosity.

“Closing this school would be to the detriment of local families, and it would also undermine efforts to protect and promote the Welsh language in the community,” he added.

Mr Davies urged Pembrokeshire County Council to ensure the consultation is meaningful by “genuinely listening to local voices” and working with parents, representatives and the wider school community to find a constructive way forward.