Strike Action- March 2023

16th February 2023

Dear Parent,

You will be aware from media coverage that the National Education Union are taking
strike action and the next day of action is Wednesday 1st March 2023. The strike is
happening because of a national dispute between the unions and the government
over pay and inadequate funding for schools.  I’m getting in touch to give you as
much notice as possible about our arrangements for 1st March. 
Having considered our staffing levels we have concluded that we will not be able to
accommodate Year 9,10 and 11 students in school on Wednesday 1st March.
Teachers, who are in school, will post work in their relevant Google Classrooms for
students in Year 9,10 and 11 to complete. Students in Year 9,10 and 11 should
follow their normal timetable and check the Google Classrooms of the subjects they
normally have on a Wednesday.
 
Students in Year 7 and 8 will attend school as normal on Wednesday 1st February.
Please note that this may be subject to further change as teachers’ individual
circumstances may change between now and 1st  March leading to further
disruption. We will of course keep you updated. School buses will be running as
normal and the college canteen will be open.
 
The rationale behind the decision to keep Year 11 students at home, on this
occasion, is that their lessons are heavily affected by teachers who are striking so
they would have cover teachers for a lot of lessons. Given that they have mock
examinations the following week we believe that a day of home study and revision in
preparation for these examinations will be more beneficial to them. We also believe
that it is fair to try and spread the impact of strike action across year groups so as
not to impact on the same year groups each time with the subsequent knock on
effect to parents.
 
 
I am sorry that some of you receiving this letter now have to make alternative
arrangements for your child and also that they will experience some disruption to
their education. I understand that this situation may be frustrating and would ask that
all members of our college community continue to treat each other with respect and
understanding
We are working closely with our staff union representatives to keep up to date with
the situation, and I will inform you as soon as possible if these current arrangements
change further. A further round of industrial action is due to take place on 15th and
16th March and I will update you on this after half term. Please do not hesitate to
contact the college if you have any further questions.

Yours sincerely,
Greg McClarey