Talks aimed at resolving the dispute over the Teaching and Learning Responsibilities payments at Penyrheol Comprehensive School, Gorseinon took place at the school today.

The National Union of Teachers, which had taken one-day strike action at the school in defence of members who had suffered cuts in salary because of the new pay system, were represented by Debbie Scott and David Browne from the NUT Cymru office.

Alan Toothill, Head of Penyrheol and Keith Slaughter from the City and County of Swansea represented the school and the local education authority respectively.

Secretary of NUT Cymru, David Evans said, “We are pleased to confirm that discussions have taken place with the aim of amicably resolving the dispute. This is what we have always wanted. We feel that things are now moving in the right direction.

“We are particularly pleased about the involvement of the local authority. NUT Cymru believes that local authorities have a key role in supporting and advising schools. We do not want the fragmentation of the education service as seems to be happening in England. We believe the local education authorities are crucial in maintaining fairness and in making sure that best practice becomes common practice in our schools.”

Alan Tootill, head of Penyrheol Comprehensive School said, “I want to see this dispute resolved as much as anyone else involved. With last year’s fire still in our minds, the school has had a difficult year, but we have an excellent staff and together we can make the future a bright one for the pupils and young people at Penyrheol.”

Keith Slaughter said, “I am very pleased, on behalf of the local education authority to be able to help in the process of resolving this dispute. I believe that the local education authority in Swansea does offer support to schools in many different ways. Fortunately, disputes are few but when they do occur we see it as part of our role to help put right what has gone wrong.”