NEU Industrial Action (1st February 2023)

Dear Parents/Carers,

I am sure you will be aware that the National Education Union (NEU) has recently confirmed that there will be industrial action by its members on Wednesday 1 February 2023. This may result in teachers taking strike action on the day and the need to limit what we can provide as a school. I wanted to take the opportunity to write to you all so that it is clear how the academy will support your child on this day.

On Wednesday 1 February, the academy will be open to all Year 11 and 13 students, and those in the other year groups who are vulnerable or key worker children. If you have a child who is vulnerable or you are a key worker, and you wish for them to be in school on the day, please make sure you inform us so we can make the necessary plans.

Years 11 and 13

For our Year 11 and 13 students who are expected to attend the academy, the school day will run as normal and students will be directed to follow their normal timetable. They should, as on every Wednesday, arrive by 08:30 and will leave at 14:00, as normal. In cases where a teacher has taken industrial action and is not present, students will be directed to join other classes for that subject to ensure they are still educated to the standard we would expect on a normal day.

Vulnerable/Key Worker Children

The academy will ensure that a full educational day is provided to students who are attending the academy as vulnerable or key worker children. Details of the structure of the day will be shared with the students when they arrive in the morning of 1 February.

As the academy will be expecting Year 11, 13, vulnerable and key worker children to attend school, break and lunch provisions will still be offered. In addition, the bus arrangements will continue as normal. Our usual expectations on punctuality, uniform, behaviour, equipment and fully-charged chromebooks will be upheld for this day.

Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12

Students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 will be expected to follow their normal timetable for live lessons. Live lessons are where students will log into their Google classroom from home and the teacher will deliver the lesson remotely/virtually in accordance with our Remote Education Provision. Live lessons will start and finish at the same time as their timetabled lessons on a normal school day.

However, should their teacher be absent for any lesson, students are offered the work below for the subjects that are taking place on the day. There is a considerable amount of work across the three core subjects that will cover a whole school day.

You may also be aware there are other advertised industrial action dates for NEU members. If these are to go ahead, the academy may need to offer the similar arrangements above on the advertised dates: 2, 15 and 16 March. I will write to you nearer the time, in the event the situation should change, in order to give you the most up-to-date information.

I hope you will understand the challenges these events bring to a school and that this will ensure your support for the academy. I am confident your child will take the opportunity to engage with the day, whether attending or learning remotely, as much as they would any other school day.

If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s college in the first instance.

Yours faithfully,

Dr F Donkor
Principal