Dear Parents and Carers
As you will be aware, the teaching union, NEU, has proposed teacher strike action which will affect our school on the following dates:
- Wednesday 1 February 2023
- Wednesday 1 March 2023
- Wednesday 15 March 2023
- Thursday 16 March 2023
I am writing to you to inform you that I have completed a risk assessment based on the number of teachers who have already informed me about their intention to strike. Teachers are not obliged to inform me in advance, but I already know it will be unsafe to fully open the school. I am aware that the NEU is the largest union for our school’s teachers and that the majority of its members are yet to inform me about their intention regarding strike action. In completing a risk assessment in this situation, I have to use the known and predictable information to determine what number of students can be supervised safely.
The nature of strikes means I am not able to direct non-striking teachers to cover for colleagues who are taking strike action. As a consequence to all of this and a requirement from the Department for Education, I have prioritised provision for students who are in exam years.
For next Wednesday and the future planned strikes, I unfortunately have no choice but to close the school to students in Year 7 to 10. This means, only students in Year 11, 12 and 13 should attend school on these dates.
Years 7 -10 Provision
Remote learning will be provided on Google Classroom for all students as set by their normal timetable for that day. Teachers who are present in school will be available to ‘live chat’ about the work via the school email system for the duration of the lesson. It may be that the teacher is delivering a ‘live’ part to the lesson by Google Classroom so it is important that your child follows the usual time of lessons throughout the day – here is a reminder of times for you:
Period 1 8.55am – 10.10am
Period 2 10.30am – 11.45am
Period 3 11.50am – 1.05pm
Period 4 1.45pm – 3.00pm
Attendance by way of logging on to Google classroom and completing the work is an expectation. There will be no tutor time session.
Vulnerable Students in Years 7 – 10
A place in school will be offered to all vulnerable students (children with a social worker, children in care, children with a Child Protection plan, children with an ECHP or HNF). These students will be provided with lunch in the canteen. Students must arrive at 9.30am and sign in at the main reception. You will be contacted by the school on Monday 30th January to discuss this place.
Year 11 Provision
In order to ensure staffing levels are sufficient, Year 11 will have a late start of 9.30am and will go straight into an English session in the main hall. All Year 11 students must arrive by 9.30am and line up in their form groups outside the hall, which is where they will be registered.
The day for Year 11 will consist of English, maths and science revision, fully taught or supervised. The day will end slightly earlier than usual at 2.30pm and lunch will be provided for all students in the canteen.
Full attendance is an expectation.
Year 12 & 13 Provision
Year 12 and 13 are to attend school as expected but at the later start time of 9.30am. They will have an earlier finish time of 2.30pm. If their class teacher is not present, a supervised study space will be provided. Lunch will be provided for all students in the canteen.
Students must sign in at the main reception upon arrival.
Full attendance is an expectation.
Free School Meals for Years 7 – 10:
We will provide a takeaway free school meal on Tuesday afternoon for students to take home for Wednesday. Your child must go to the canteen at the end of period 4 on Tuesday to collect the meal.
Finally, I can assure you that this decision has not been made without significant consideration about what would be possible in a range of scenarios. As ever the overwhelming concern has been for the safety of your children, our students. I have to mitigate against any risk; as Headteacher I have to be able to ensure that all striking staff members can be covered adequately by myself, because I am not able to instruct others to do it. This means that I have been forced to be cautious and plan a response that is manageable and safe.
I am sorry for any inconvenience this might cause you, please be assured that I have made the decision after fully assessing the risks.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Kate Finch
Headteacher
