Parents at Caldicot Comprehensive School in Monmouthshire are unhappy about a dispute that has seen teachers strike twice over pupil behaviour. Members of the NASUWT union are also refusing to teach some pupils who they consider to be a risk to staff. The council said it was committed to resolving the issue, but parents claim they have been left uninformed. A petition has been started to request an open meeting for parents with the local authority and school management.
One parent, Jon, said that the lack of information made it difficult for parents. “All we’ve been told is that the teachers are concerned for their safety,” he said. “We want to see policies to do with behaviour brought in that satisfy the teachers that they feel safe, and so through that our children are safe as well.” David, another parent, agreed that communication had been insufficient, and added that incidents at the school were not dealt with properly.
The disputes are not new, with teaching unions first raising concerns in 2019. The NASUWT and NEU unions have taken industrial actions in response. Although behaviour was deemed not to be extreme compared to other schools, the unions contend that the school’s management has not responded effectively to the issue. The union wants the local authority to step in to help resolve the problem.
Safety is a concern for some parents, such as Anna, who notes that pupils should not have to worry about their well-being while at school. A council spokesperson expressed understanding for parents’ frustrations and vowed to work to find a solution. Further strikes are planned for 15 November
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