By David Nicholson

TEACHERS at a school in north Wales began a three-day strike today in protest at excessive workloads.

NASUWT Cymru members at Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin, Denbighshire, say that adverse management practices are affecting teachers’ workloads, working conditions and well-being.

Teachers at the comprehensive school took action after the local authority and school governors failed to address serious workload problems, the union said.

These include an excessive marking and assessment policy that the union has tried unsuccessfully to change.

Wales national officer Neil Butler said: “The NASUWT has had concerns about the workload at Brynhyfryd for a number of years and the school has been aware of those concerns.

“In October 2022, the NASUWT met with the school leadership to present increasing problems being made known to the union by our members.

“These just do not seem to have been taken seriously and, while there have been ongoing talks, progress has been slow and has now stalled.

“Teachers have for too long been the subject of excessive marking and assessment policies written by those not subject to their requirements.

“We need Ysgol Brynhyfryd and Denbighshire County Council to take teacher workload seriously.”

A spokesman for the local authority said: “The council has been working with the senior leadership team and the board of governors within the school to try and resolve this issue.

“It will continue to work with the school and the union to try to resolve this.”

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “This was an avoidable dispute. It still could be easily resolved with the adoption of a more reasonable attitude by the school leadership.”