A SCHOOL shut its gates to most of its pupils yesterday as teachers went on strike in protest at alleged “punitive management practices”.

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers claims “a climate of fear” is having “a detrimental effect on the working conditions and welfare of members” at Chepstow Comprehensive School, and they were left with no alternative but to hold the one-day strike.

But the school’s governing body says it has engaged fully with the conciliation process to end the dispute and was “extremely disappointed” with the strike action.

The Welsh Street school told parents on its website: “We have been informed that the NASUWT have decided to strike on Tuesday (July 17). The school will therefore be shut for all students on this date, except those on Year 12 Transition week. We are sorry for the disruption that this will cause for your children in their learning.”

Some 30 teachers – around half the staff – are members of the NASUWT, and picketed the school gates yestday from 7.30am to 9.30am.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: “The action being taken at Chepstow Comprehensive School is in protest over the repeated failure of the governing body to effectively address long-standing issues over the way in which the school is being managed.

“The NASUWT had recently sought to resolve the on-going situation through a collective grievance, but was forced to withdraw from the process when it became apparent that the governing body was going to treat the concerns as individual grievances, rather than accepting that there was a collective issue at the school.

 “Teachers have a right to work in an atmosphere of mutual professional trust and respect and to be treated with dignity. That culture is sadly lacking at Chepstow Comprehensive School.”

Rex Phillips, the union’s national official in Wales, added: “Our members have had enough of the punitive management practices which have become part of the culture at Chepstow Comprehensive School.

“They feel undervalued, unsupported and disenfranchised from the decision making processes within the school. It is not acceptable for teachers to work in a climate of fear and there needs to be a return to a management approach based on collegiality and cooperation.

“The NASUWT remains willing to engage with the employer to work towards this objective.”

The school’s chairman of governors, Craig Bridgeman, responded by saying: “The governing body is extremely disappointed that the NASUWT has taken this one day action. The governors and local education authority have engaged fully with the conciliatory process and agreed with the majority of issues raised at the ACAS hearings.

“Despite these positive actions, including establishing a joint council with all the school unions and parent meetings, where our focus has been discipline, staff cover and budget, the NASUWT have still chosen to strike.

“Although unaware of the specific reason for this strike action, the governing body remains committed to the resolution process and have agreement with the other school unions to proceed with the discussions as agreed at the JCC session.

“The governing body will continue to put young learners first in every aspect and support the staff and leadership of the school.”

Richard John, Monmouthshire Council executive member for children and young people, said: “It is hugely disappointing to see the NASUWT take this industrial action in the last week of the summer term. 

“The local authority has been working with all sides through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).”