TEACHERS across schools in Flintshire have been taking strike action today. 

Schools across the region have closed their doors as teachers in the National Education Union take industrial action over pay and funding.

The early morning school run is usually a hive of activity between 8am and 9am, but today it was a very different picture across Flintshire.

The Leader:

The union rejected the Welsh Government's offer of a 5 per cent increase, calling it an "insult", and say real-term reductions in pay over the years have led to a recruitment and retention crisis with schools struggling to cope with higher workloads and unable to recruit enough staff.

Both primary and secondary schools have seen a mix of full and partial closures in Flintshire. 

The Leader:

One primary school taking part in the strike action today was Ysgol Bryn Gwalia in Mold, with a spokesperson re-affirming their support for the union whilst admitting it was 'a shame' that children will be affected: "We fully support the strike action by the NEU.

The Leader:

"It's a shame that it's had to come to this and that the children are missing out on their education." 

Flintshire teacher, Vicky Fowley, who attended the rally in Wrexham today, said: "Often I get home from work around 6pm, feed my kids and get them sorted and then carry on working well into the night but people don't see that."

The Leader:

It wasn't just teachers who were prepared to show solidarity with their colleagues during today's strikes, as parents were also quick to support the decision to close, despite concerns about children missing out on education. 

Flintshire parent Lynne Hughes said: "I absolutely support the teachers' strike.

"I have a son in Bryn Coch, Mold. His teachers have done so much for him going above and beyond.

"They work so many hours - I've messaged through school platforms (in the afternoon) and received answers going into the evenings and later because the teachers are still working.

"They put in long hours and, I suspect, their own money into making our children's school lives better and more enriching and for that, we can't pay them enough.

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The following Flintshire primary schools were fully closed due to the strike action:

Abermorddu

Broughton

Brynford

Bryn Coch

Bryn Garth

Bryn Gwalia

Bryn Pennant

Carmel

Cornist Park

Derwen/Kinnerton

Gronant

Hawarden Village

Lixwm

Maes Glas

Maes y Felin

Mountain Lane

Mynydd Isa

Owen Jones

Penarlag

Queensferry

Saltney Ferry

Sandycroft

Sealand

Southdown

Trelogan

Wepre

Westwood

Wood Memorial

St Ethelwold’s

Yr Esgob, Caerwys

Ysgol y Llan, Whitford

St Winefride’s RC

Ysgol Croes Atti Flint

Ysgol Croes Atti Glannau Dyfdrwy

Ysgol Gwynedd

Ysgol Mornant

Ysgol Terrig

Plas Derwen PRU

The following high schools were fully closed:

Alun HS

Castell Alun HS

Connah’s Quay HS

Elfed HS

Flint HS

Hawarden HS

St David’s HS

Treffynnon, Holywell

The following primary schools were partially closed: 

Cae’r Nant

Ewloe Green

Gwernymynydd

Merllyn

Owen Jones 

Penyffordd 

Rhos Helyg 

Sychdyn

Wepre

Y Waun

St Anthony’s RC

St Mary’s RC

Ven Edward Morgan

Ysgol Glanrafon

Ysgol Gwenffrwd

The following high schools were partially closed: 

St Richard Gwyn CHS

Ysgol Maes Garmon