NAHT Cymru has confirmed that negotiations with Welsh Government have broken down and that the union's National Executive has endorsed a move to a national statutory ballot for industrial action.

The decision follows Welsh Government's confirmation that it intends to impose a pay award on school leaders which falls below the recommendation of the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body and failure to take immediate steps to alleviate unsustainable workload and unsafe working conditions.

NAHT Cymru says the decision leaves school leaders with no confidence that the current process can deliver a fair settlement and represents the second consecutive year in which Welsh Government has failed to implement in full the recommendations of the independent pay review process.

Robert Kelsall, Assistant General Secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “School leaders across Wales will be bitterly disappointed by Welsh Government's decision to once again reject the recommendation of its own independent pay review body.

“We entered negotiations in good faith and worked tirelessly to secure a negotiated settlement that addressed both pay and workload. While some progress was made in discussions on workload, Welsh Government has ultimately chosen to impose a pay award that falls short of what its own independent process concluded was justified.

“This is not simply about a percentage increase.

“This is now the second consecutive year in which school leaders have been denied the full award recommended by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body.

“The cumulative impact is significant, affecting earnings, pension benefits and the long-term attractiveness of school leadership itself.

“At the same time, school leaders continue to face excessive workloads, escalating pressures and increasingly unsustainable working conditions. Schools are being asked to deliver more with less, while leaders work ever longer hours to keep the system functioning.

“There comes a point when warm words and promises of future action are no longer enough.

“That point has now been reached.”

Mr Kelsall wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education on 15 October “formally withdrawing from the current talks with immediate effect” and setting out the unions reasons for moving to a national statutory ballot of members across Wales for industrial action.

NAHT Cymru will now begin preparations for a national statutory ballot of school leaders across Wales.

Paul Whiteman, NAHT General Secretary, said: “Nobody wants to see school leaders forced into industrial action, but it is clear that leaders in Wales have reached a point where enough is enough.

“Welsh Government asked school leaders to engage in talks in good faith and NAHT Cymru did exactly that.

“It is therefore deeply disappointing that ministers have again chosen not to implement in full the recommendation of their own independent pay review body.

“School leaders are working under immense pressure to support pupils, staff and communities, yet they continue to face excessive workload, growing responsibility and the erosion of their pay. Fair and independent pay processes only work if governments are prepared to respect their outcomes.

“NAHT stands fully behind our members and colleagues in Wales as they take this difficult but necessary step.”