The executive head of a “not fit for purpose” school, where teachers are on strike over poor pupil behaviour, has left her role. Debra Thomas has stepped down from her position at Pencoedtre High in Barry as the crisis continues.
Her resignation comes after members of the Nasuwt teaching union walked out in a row over safety, pupil violence and abuse. One teacher described how she locked herself and her class in against a violent child who then assaulted another pupil so badly he needed medical attention.
In a joint statement tonight the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Pencoedtre High School said: “Debra Thomas took on leadership responsibilities at Pencoedtre in addition to her role as headteacher of Cowbridge School, becoming executive headteacher. This arrangement was always intended to be for a fixed period and has been in place for longer than was initially envisaged.
"The council would like to thank Debra for her work at Pencoedtre as she returns to focus fully on Cowbridge once again. Discussions between school governors and the council over the long-term leadership arrangements at Pencoedtre continue and an announcement on this matter will be made in due course.”
Nasuwt representative Sharron Daly described Ms Thomas leaving as disastrous. She claimed the executive headteacher had been “a voice of reason” trying to find solutions which she claimed the local education authority had not responded to.
“It’s a real mess at the school,” said Ms Daly, “she was the reasonable voice in this dispute and wanted to find solutions while the Vale of Glamorgan Council has its head in the sand. As a union we always had a positive working relationship with the executive head and losing her is a massive loss. But I totally understand why she wanted to resign.”
Cllr Rhys Tomas, chair of the Vale of Glamorgan learning and culture scrutiny committee said the council has "failed to take responsibility" for problems at the school. The Conservative councillor said the local authority must act now as children's education was suffering.
“These developments are hugely concerning and show that the Vale Council has failed to take responsibility. Debra Thomas faced a huge challenge sorting out problems at Pencoedtre School, and got little support from the Council who have sought to avoid blame at every turn.
