January 16th 2024.
Teachers at Pencoedtre High School in Barry, Wales are facing a difficult situation as the open plan environment seems to be encouraging pupils to engage in violent behavior. The new £34 million school, with its large open balcony and courtyard, has created an environment where big groups of students interact and fights have become a common occurrence. This has led to 136 exclusions and 50 serious health and safety incidents since the start of the school year, causing teachers to dread coming to work.
In response, the staff at Pencoedtre High School have decided to go on strike on multiple dates in January and February. Union official Sharron Daly explains that the teachers feel they have reached their breaking point with the issue of student behavior and cannot continue to work under these conditions. She reveals that the threats of violence from students towards other students and staff have been a major concern, with each incident involving either physical violence or the threat of it. She also notes that the levels of student indiscipline have been shocking and that the staff are constantly on edge while doing their duties.
Daly emphasizes that it is a basic right for employees to be able to do their job without fear of verbal or physical abuse, especially in a school setting where teachers are there to educate, not to restrain or protect themselves from violence. The new school, designed by architects HLM and funded by the Welsh government, was meant to improve the social and cultural well-being of its users and facilitate different learning styles. However, it seems to have missed the mark as the teachers are now forced to lock themselves in their offices for safety.
The Vale of Glamorgan council and the headteacher express their disappointment in the strike action, particularly during a crucial time when students are preparing for important exams. They acknowledge the issues faced by the staff and assure that they are working with the union to find a resolution. However, the strike at Pencoedtre High School is not an isolated incident, as teachers at another school in Kent also went on strike due to unruly behavior from students. The teachers at Oasis Academy, who have been rated inadequate by Ofsted for issues such as bullying and pupils' understanding of sexual consent, also feel that the school is not doing enough to protect them.
It is clear that the situation at Pencoedtre High School and Oasis Academy is not acceptable and that measures need to be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the teachers. The work being done to improve the working environment and update the behavior policy is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the root of the problem. The teachers, who are employed to teach, should not have to fear for their safety while doing their job. It is time for action to be taken to create a safe and conducive learning environment for both students and teachers.
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