Teachers at troubled Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi staged a one-day strike yesterday amid continuing unrest.

Around 20 members of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers were understood to be staging a walkout at the Cardigan secondary school following claims of bullying and harassment.

Ceredigion County Council has launched an independent inquiry after three former members of staff lodged complaints.

Since the investigation began, the local authority has also received other complaints from staff and parents at the school.

The probe is expected to conclude later this month, although further one-day strikes are planned.

The inquiry will also examine allegations that a group of teachers and former members of staff have co-ordinated a plan to intimidate, bully and harass members of the current leadership team.

Balloted on taking industrial action last month, 17 members of staff voted in favour of strike action.

A Ceredigion County Council spokesman said: “Ceredigion County Council can confirm that some teachers at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi have voted for potential strike action, which will take place on Tuesday, 22 January.

“The action is taking place because of a dispute over alleged adverse management practices at the school.”

Meanwhile, a former teacher has claimed a ‘climate of fear’ spread around staff who ‘didn’t fit in with the party line’.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, added that a ‘win at all costs culture’ was not sustainable.

“Teachers are voting with their feet,” he said. “I think that’s really bad for students in terms of stability.”

NASUWT believes the council’s probe is “exacerbating an already extremely difficult situation” – a claim the council says is “wholly inaccurate”.

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now