Powys teachers to join strike action

Hundreds of teachers in Powys are to go on strike next week as part of a national walkout in a row over pensions. A number of primary and secondary schools will be closed or will reduce timetables on Thursday.

Staff belonging to teachers' unions will be taking industrial action.

Members of the National Union of Teachers are among those planning to strike.

Mary Compton, NUT joint divisional secretary, said she did not have the exact numbers of those going on strike but said it would be "a lot".

One of the schools affected will be Ardwyn Infants' School, in Welshpool, and letters have already been sent out to parents informing them of what is happening.

In the letter, sent out by Yvonne Naylor, acting headteacher, it said: "The safety of the pupils is paramount and the headteacher has undertaken a risk assessment on the number of staff available to cover classes."

The letter adds: "Please make arrangements for your children not to be in school if they are in nursery/reception of year one and two class."

But Welshpool High School and the town's Maesydre Junior School said today that teachers would not be taking industrial action.

Mrs Compton said as part of the industrial action NUT members would be holding a rally in Llandrindod Wells on Thursday.

"There will be very few schools which won't be affected at all," she said.

"Teachers are striking because we are being asked to work longer, and have pay freezes but increase our pension contribution by three per cent. There have also been changes to the way pensions are calculated."

John Evans, communications manager for Powys County Council, said: "We can't confirm how many teachers are expected to strike or which schools are expected to close, as teachers are not obliged to reveal membership of a union."