Teachers across Caerphilly County Borough will strike tomorrow in a continuing row over pay, pensions and terms and conditions.
A majority of schools across Caerphilly County Borough will be shut or partially closed due to the strike.
The national dispute has been ongoing since 2008 and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) claim that Education Secretary, Michael Gove is not willing to meet them to discuss the issues.
Owen Hathway, NUT Wales Policy Officer, said they were anticipating disruption in a majority of Caerphilly schools, adding that the strike was not just about pay and conditions but an attempt to “save education from government policy which will cause long term disruption to education.”
He said: “We have done everything possible to avoid strike action but the UK government haven’t given any indication that they are willing to listen to the legitimate views of teachers.
“We want to have a discussion but they are not coming forward with any positive input to avoid strike action.”
NUT Caerphilly secretary Pam Ireland said that no teacher wanted to go on strike.
She said: “This is not a decision that has been taken lightly. However, teachers across Caerphilly feel strongly that they have to make a stand.
“Not only are we seeing teachers pay and pensions cut but the very quality of education provided for pupils in the county is being put at risk.
“This is not just about fighting for a fair deal for teachers but a strike to protect the futures of students across Caerphilly.”
The NASUWT teaching union executive voted not to take part after the UK Government accepted proposals on terms and conditions set out by the School Teachers Review Board (STRB) but the nationwide strike is likely to effect a vast amount of schools due to the number of NUT members across the country.
The STRB rejected Mr Gove’s plans to remove conditions on working hours and days worked a year but approved the removal from contacts of a list of of 21 tasks that teachers were not expected to undertake.
NUT General Secretary Christine Blowers said: “Whilst Michael Gove, by accepting the recommendations of the STRB, has been prevented from making teachers’ conditions of service worse, nothing has changed for the better for teachers.
“Two in five teachers are leaving the profession within five years due to intolerable workload pressures, performance related pay, increased pensions contributions and working until 68.
“Our concerns have to be addressed if a crisis in teacher supply is to be avoided.”
Caerphilly County Borough Schools affected by the strike
Aberbargoed Primary, closed.
Abercarn Primary, two classes closed.
Abertysswg Primary, open.
Bedwas High School, partial opening. Year ten,12 & 13 open. Year 11, some classes will delivered.
Bedwas Infants, open.
Bedwas Junior, open.
Blackwood Comprehensive, open for Year 11 only.
Blackwood Primary, five out of 15 classes open.
Bryn Awel Primary, nursery and Class one closed.
Bryn Primary, closed.
Cefn Fforest Primary, infants and resource base closed, junior open.
Coed y brain Primary, closed.
Crumlin Primary, class two closed.
Cwm Glas Infants, closed.
Cwm Ifor Primary, open.
Cwmaber Infants, closed.
Cwmaber Junior, closed
Cwmcarn High School, open for years ten to 13.
Cwmcarn Primary, closed.
Cwmfelinfach Primary, partially closed.
Cwrt Rawlin Primary, partially closed.
Deri Primary, one out of four classes open.
Derwendeg Primary, partially closed.
Fleur De Lys Primary, partially closed.
Fochriw Primary, open.
Gilfach Fargoed Primary, two classes open.
Glyngaer Primary, partially closed.
Graig Y Rhacca Primary, open.
Greenhill Primary, partially closed.
Hendre Infants, closed.
Hendre Junior, closed
Hendredenny Park Primary, open.
Hengoed Primary, open to nursery and years one and two.
Heolddu Comprehensive, open
Lewis Girls Comprehensive, closed.
Lewis School, Pengam, closed
Libanus Primary, closed
Llancaeach Junior, open.
Llanfabon Infants, open
Machen Primary, open
Maesycwmmer Primary, two classes closed.
Markham Primary, four classes closed.
Nantyparc Primary, closed.
Newbridge Comprehensive, partially closed.
Oakdale Comprehensive, closed.
Pantside Primary, partially closed.
Park Primary Mair Evans, open.
Pengam Primary, partially closed.
Penllwyn Primary, open.
Pentwynmawr Primary, three classes closed.
Phillipstown Primary, partially closed.
Plasyfelin Primary, Junior School closed.
Pontllanfraith Comprehensive, closed.
Pontllanfraith Primary, closed.
Pontlottyn Primary, open.
Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary, closed.
Rhydri Primary, open
Rhymney Comprehensive, open to year 12 & 13 only
Risca Comprehensive, open for Year 11 only.
Risca Primary, partially closed.
St Cenydd School, open to year 12 & 13 only.
St Gwladys/Bargoed Primary , closed.
St Helens RC Primary, four classes open.
St James Primary, closed.
St Martins Comprehensive, open, small number of classes cancelled.
Tiryberth Primary, partially closed.
Trinant Primary, closed.
Trinity Fields, closed.
Twyn School, partially closed.
Ty Isaf Infants , open.
Ty Sign Primary, partially open.
Tynewydd Primary, nursery only.
Tyn y wern Primary, partially closed.
Upper Rhymney Primary, closed
Waunfawr Primary two out of six classes closed.
White Rose Primary, two classes open.
Y. G. Gilfach Bargoed, three classes open.
Y. G. Bro Allta, open.
Y. G. Bro Sannan, years two & four open.
Y. G. Caerffili, partially closed.
Y. G. Castell, partially closed.
Y. G. Cwm Gwyddon, open.
Y. G. Cwm Rhymni, open to years 11,12,13 & 14.
Y. G. G. Trelyn, one class open.
Y.G. Cwm Derwen, open for staff and year two pupils.
Ynysddu Primary, closed.
Ysgol Ifor Bach, open to Reception and year four and five.
Ysgol Penalltau, reception class closed.
Ysgol Y Lawnt, partially closed.
Ystrad Mynach Primary, partially closed.