In photos: Historic day as teachers choose to strike

In the Vale, over 20 schools closed fully as teachers put their foot down and took action on what they described as a system at breaking point.

It was by no means an easy choice to strike, with Gladstone Primary teacher Bethan Jones saying she loved her job.

However, horror stories were shared of classroom sizes smelling and teachers having to go to food banks as they struggle to deal with the cost of living crisis.

(Strikes at All Saints in Barry)

(Gladstone Primary, Barry)

(Bethan Jones (right) supervised the picket line at Gladstone)

(Message clear at Pencoedtre High, Barry)

Mairead Canavan, executive member for the NEU and secretary for the Vale of Glamorgan, revealed that last year teachers got a measley 1.7 per cent pay rise, which she described as derisory, and called on the government to sit down and have a proper conversation with unions.

“Teachers are worried about the cost of living crisis, they cannot afford to put fuel in their cars, cannot afford to pay their bills or mortgages, you (the government) need to come to the table because it is just not appropriate not to negotiate with us," said Mairead at a picket line outside Penarth's Ysgol y Deri.

(Teachers had had enough)

(On strike outside Ysgol y Deri in Penarth)

(Picket lines were in force in the Vale)

The teachers were out early voicing their opinions for all to hear, with music and chants, and even the thumping of drums.

Jonathan Coombes and Alexandra Williams of Pencoedtre)

(Picket lines started as early as 7am)

In Barry three picket lines were held at Pencoedtre High, All Saints Primary and Gladstone Primary.

At Pencoedtre, drama teacher Alexandra Williams told of the tragedy of some of her colleagues having to rely on food banks to survive.

“Do the right thing and help us out,” said Ms Williams. “Give us a fair deal. Our children are important, this is about them and they deserve the best.”

(Mairead Canavan, executive member for the NEU and secretary for the Vale of Glamorgan)

(Gladstone Primary)

At Gladstone Primary, picket supervisor Bethan Jones, refused to give up the fight calling on the government to pay up and support teachers.

“Pay up and support our schools and our children,” said Ms Jones.

Support the right to strike or is it workers being greedy? Are you with or against the teachers? Has your day been affected by the strikes? If so how (home schooling again)? Let us know in comments or on our Facebook page.

List of schools in the Vale affected during teacher strike action today

• Albert Primary School: School closed to pupils
• All Saints CIW Primary School: School closed to pupils
• Barry Island Primary School: Reception & Yr 3 closed
• Cadoxton Primary School: School closed
• Cogan Primary School: Primary school open. Nursery closed 
• Colcot Primary School: School closed
• Cowbridge Comprehensive: Years 8/9/10 closed
• Dinas Powys Primary School: Infant site closed, junior site open
• Evenlode Primary School: School closed to pupils
• Faifield Primary School: Partially open - 4 classes open all day and 5 classes open for either am or pm
• Gladstone Primary School: School closed
• Gwenfo CIW Primary School: School closed to pupils
• High Street Primary School: Year 3 class closure
• Holton Primary School: School open
• Jenner Park Primary School: 2 class closures
• Llandough Primary School: School closed to pupils
• Llanfair Primary School: School closed
• Llangan Primary School: School closed
• Llansannor CIW Primary School: School closed
• Llantwit Major Comp: Years 7, 8 , 9 , 10 & 11 closed
• Oakfield Primary School: School closed
• Palmerston Primary School: Open to year 1 only
• Pencoedtre High School: Closed to years 7-11, open for years 12 & 13
• Pendoylan CIW Primary School: School closed
• Peterstoon-Super-Ely CIW Primary School: School open
• Rhws Primary School: Years 1, 2 & 5 closed only
• Romilly Primary School: School closed to pupils
• South Point Primary School: 2 class closures - nursery  & a mixed reception/yr 1 class
• St Andrew's CIW Primary School: School closed to pupils
• St Athan Primary School: School closed to pupils
• St Brides Major CIW Primary School: School closed to pupils
• St Cyres Comprehensive: Closed to years 7 -11, open for 6th Form
• St David's CIW Primary School: School closed
• St Helen's Catholic Primary School: School closed
• St Illtyd Primary School: Reception & years 1, 3 & 4 closed
• St Joseph's RC Primary School: School open
• St Nicholas CIW Primary School: Reception/Yr 1 & yr 6 closed all day. Yr 4/5 half day from 12pm.
• St Richard Gwyn RC Comprehensive: School closed
• Stanwell Comprehensive: School closed
• Sully Primary School: School closed to pupils
• Victoria Primary School: School closed
• Whitmore High School: School closed for pupils with the exception of sixth form
• Wick and Marcross CIW Primary School:School partially open
• Y Bont Faen Primary School: School open
• Ysgol Bro Morgannwg: Closed to pupils in Reception, Yr 5 and years 7-11
• Ysgol Dewi Sant: 3 classes closed
• Ysgol Gwaun Y Nant: School closed to 1 year 1class, year 3 and year 5
• Ysgol Iolo Morgannwg: 3 Year groups closed
• Ysgol Pen Y Garth: 2 class closures
• Ysgol Sant Baruc: School open
• Ysgol Sant Curig: Year 1 closed (2 classes)
• Ysgol Y Ddraig: School open
• Ysgol Y Deri: Closed to pupils