Industrial action on 1 February

School arrangements during industrial action on 1 February

Dear Parents

Following on from my email last week, you will be aware that the National Education Union has announced a nationwide teachers’ strike on Wednesday 1 February 2023. This is part of a series of 4-day planned strikes, which are scheduled to take place on 1 February, 1 March, 15 March and 16 March 2023. This is not a local dispute, but one at a national level.

In line with the Department for Education guidance, the school must take every reasonable step to remain open on a strike day for as many students as possible, prioritising vulnerable students and exam groups.

Following union advice, teachers going on strike are not required to inform the school they will be absent, nor teach lessons (including remotely) or set work for students. Teachers who choose not to strike and attend work are also advised by unions not to cover lessons for absent colleagues who are on strike.

As you will appreciate, this makes planning for the education of students exceptionally difficult as we will not know staff availability until the day of the strike. Our primary consideration is the health, welfare and safety of students and staff.

Due to limited staff availability, I have, therefore, taken the difficult decision to close the school on Wednesday 1 February to Years 9 and 10.

School will remain open only to:

Year 7
Year 8
Year 11
Year 12
Year 13
More vulnerable students in Years 9 and 10 (these families will be contacted individually)

For students working from home

For each lesson, students should log into Microsoft Teams where they will find instructions. This may be of the form of activities to complete or an invitation to a live lesson; the nature of the work for each class will be determined by the class teacher. Given the number of staff that will not be in school, there will be lessons where no specific work is set and students should therefore use this lesson time to complete revision for that subject using resources from Oak National Academy (https://classroom.thenational.academy).

For students attending school

All students should wear their school uniform and bring the books and equipment for their normal timetabled lessons as well as a reading book and some resources for independent revision.

Students in Years 7, 8, 11, 12 and 13 should go to their form rooms as normal at the start of the day. Any additional instructions regarding arrangements for the day will be given to students at this stage.

Those students in Years 9 and 10 who are in school (see above) should go to room 25 at the start of the day. These students will complete the same work in school which has been set for their respective classes working at home with supervision provided.

If your child is ill on the day, please telephone the school using the normal sickness absence number. Students expected in school who do not attend school on the day and do not have an authorised reason for absence, will be marked as unauthorised.

Transport

The local authority have informed the school that school buses will run at their normal times.

Catering Arrangements

The school canteen will be open providing a menu at break and lunchtime. If your child is in receipt of Free School Meals and attending school, they will be able to purchase food in the canteen as normal. If your child is in receipt of Free School Meals and has been asked not to attend school, we will arrange for a voucher to be provided to you using the usual system. Any questions relating to the voucher scheme can be emailed to Mrs Bargh, Deputy Headteacher ([email protected]).

I appreciate that this is a difficult time for parents and for students who are home learning. I would like to reassure you that we have taken every step possible to keep the school open for as many year groups as we can, and to provide an education for students, given the restrictions and uncertainties faced through industrial action. Our primary consideration continues to be the health and safety of students and staff.

I will contact you before the next proposed strike date (1 March 2023) to share plans in relation to that day, but would respectfully ask you to think ahead about arrangements for your child on future planned strike days (1 March, 15 March, 16 March) as they could potentially be at home on this day.

I am sorry that you may have to make alternative arrangements for your child at short notice, and that students will experience disruption to their education. I understand that this situation may be frustrating, but ask that all members of our school community continue to treat each other with respect.

We are working closely with our staff union representatives in school to keep up to date with the situation, and I will inform you as soon as possible if arrangements change further.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Thank you for your continued support.

S Furness

Headteacher