TEACHERS at a new £22 million special school in Wales are balloting for strike action after up to one in six staff were told that they face redundancy within five months of its opening.

National Education Union Cymru (NEU) members called for the vote on industrial action in response to Powys County Council’s threat of massive cuts at Ysgol Robert Owen in Newtown.

NEU interim Wales secretary Nicola Fitzpatrick said: “It is unbelievable that Powys council have spent £22m of public money on a much-needed new school for children with additional learning needs, but it appears they have not done their homework on how much it will cost to run and staff.

“We’re shocked they have also failed to fill all the places in the school, despite a clear need for specialist provision.”

The proposed cuts would leave the school “fundamentally unsafe for staff and pupils alike,” said Ms Fitzpatrick, adding: “It’s clear the council should now identify the funds to run this brand-new facility safely and at its full potential.”

A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “Schools across Wales, like councils, are facing significant financial pressures which need to be managed.

“School leaders will need to consider how they manage their financial pressures within the resources available to them via the agreed school funding formula and allocated delegate budget.

“The council support schools through any management of change process to ensure that they are able deliver the curriculum within their resources.

“There is currently a technical issue with the school’s new hydrotherapy pool which we are looking into. We are supporting the school in operating this facility.”