Dear Parent/Carer
In continuing action, the teaching union, NEU, has proposed further dates for teacher strike action which has already affected our school and will further affect our school on the following dates:
- Wednesday 15 March 2023
- Thursday 16 March 2023
I am writing to you to inform you that I have once again completed a risk assessment based on the number of teachers who have already informed me about their intention to strike but also this time with the knowledge of how many staff were on strike on the previous 2 dates. Teachers are not obliged to inform me in advance, but I believe now it will be safe to fully open the school. 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 and so there will be some modifications to the normal school day on 15th and 16th March and I would ask that you check the website and other school communication on both days for any unplanned, last minute changes to the provision caused by unexpected staff absence due to striking.
Years 7 -13 Provision
The school day will begin with period 1 at 9am, rather than tutor time as this will give us the chance to make any last minute changes should the staffing levels not be as I expect them to be on the day.
Period 1 9am – 10.10am
Period 2 10.30am – 11.45am
Period 3 11.50am – 1.05pm
Period 4 1.45pm – 3.00pm
Where there are lessons for which the teacher is striking and so not on site, the students will be directed to a year group area, fully supervised, where they will undertake year group specific activities. As an example, I would only envisage 4 year 7 classes out of a possible 32 being affected in this way throughout the whole day on Wednesday.
Attendance is an expectation. There will be no tutor time session.
Year 9 only
I foresee a staffing difficulty on Wednesday morning period 1 for year 9 and so they will start, on Wednesday only, at 10.30am for the start of period 2. Thursday will be a 9am start.
Attendance is an expectation. There will be no tutor time session.
Finally, I can assure you that, once again, 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
