Dear parents and carers,
Planned NEU strike action
I am writing to outline the school’s position in view of the strike action announced by the National Education Union (NEU), in order to give you as much notice as possible of the impact this will have on our school ways of working during planned strike days. The dates of NEU strike action are:
Wednesday 1 February 2023
Thursday 2 March 2023, Wednesday 15 March 2023 & Thursday 16 March 2023
Over two thirds of our school’s teachers are members of the NEU and will be on strike – this is a very significant proportion of our staff. Therefore, the provision we offer in school on the above dates will be substantially restricted to ensure the safety of any students on-site is maintained at all times, with sufficient staff-student ratios. All decisions on this have been taken in line with guidance provided by the DfE, Partnership Learning Trust, the local authority and the relevant unions.
I ask parents to note that each school will be affected to a varying extent, depending on the numbers of teachers who are NEU members. The actions which schools have to take at this time will not all be the same, but will reflect their individual circumstances.
The plans I am setting out below will be in place for 1st February 2023. It is likely that this will be the way of working for the three subsequent dates however I will confirm arrangements for those dates nearer the time.
Wednesday 1st February 2023:
School will only be open for young people who are identified as vulnerable, as a priority. The families of these young people will be contacted directly by our inclusion teams in the coming week to confirm arrangements.
As the vast majority of teaching staff will be engaged in the strike action, therefore not in school, we will be unable to offer a normal timetable or regular taught lessons. Students who are on-site on this day will be supervised by support staff and any remaining teaching staff to complete work.
There will be a small number of places available for children of key workers who do not have alternative provision to care for their young children on this date. Parents will be required to complete the form (link at the end of this letter) to request a place. Please note, completion of the form will not guarantee a place for your child on this day. You will receive confirmation of whether a place can be offered by the end of next week.
Free School Meals will be available to those eligible – full details will be provided next week.
Students who will be sitting exams this year will be given guidance on how to direct their studies at home on this date.
I appreciate that this is a significant change to our normal ways of working. I will endeavour to give you plenty of notice of any changes to this plan and I appreciate your cooperation at this time.
Yours faithfully,
Clare Cross
Principal
Read the full letter here