Ceredigion County Council has announced that an independent investigation into management and staff relations at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi has found no evidence of bullying or intimidation.

The investigation was initially launched after issues were raised by former staff members at the school.

It came after members of the teaching union NASUWT held the first of six planned days of strike action on Tuesday over what they claimed were adverse management practices and other working practices "creating a climate of fear and intimidation" at the Cardigan secondary school.

The investigation made a number of recommendations, including working with staff to recognise their contribution in making Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi a successful school, reviewing existing monitoring procedures and working with staff to establish a culture and process to enable staff concerns to be voiced and addressed

Council leader Ellen ap Gwynn said: “The council takes any concerns about the conduct of all school staff very seriously, which is why we have commissioned an independent investigation into issues raised by current and former staff members.

“Standards at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi have improved dramatically in recent years, providing excellent educational outcomes to thousands of pupils

“We are very grateful to the headteacher, her leadership group and all staff at the school, whose hard work has been central to improving standards.”

“However, for the school to work effectively, we want to make sure that all staff feel valued. With that in mind we will work with the school to carry out all recommendations that the independent report has made.

“We are committed to working with all staff and their unions to continue Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi’s success as a flourishing school.”

A County Hall spokesperson said it was hoped further industrial action could be avoided.

However, a spokesperson for NASUWT said: “For the report to make more of a closed Facebook group where teachers were seeking mutual support against years of systematic bullying and fear is a shocking imbalance of priorities.

“The NASUWT stands by the 65 per cent of our members who have told us through the ballot of the culture of fear at the school. The dispute goes on.”