Announcement

Dear Parents and Carers,

As you will be aware, one teaching union has announced two further strike days on Thursday 27^th April and Tuesday 2^nd May, (immediately after the first bank holiday Monday).  These dates have been identified by union officials.

As I have communicated previously, all colleagues have the right to undertake industrial action and we were very much hoping that we would not have to face further action leading to ongoing disruption to our students education; particularly at this time.

Following the last strike days the government put forward a settlement offer, this offer has been rejected by all teaching unions.  This offer has not been rejected simply as a result of the increase in pay but as a result of the increasingly challenging financial circumstances that are being faced by all schools, for example the considerable increases in the cost of utilities, the cost of maintaining the school building and resources and should an increase in pay be awarded this would have to be found from existing budgets.

As we have for the previous strike days, I have reviewed the provision we are able to offer with the staff we may have in school.  As ever, those taking action do not need to tell me until the very day of a strike.  We will therefore only be able to follow the same process as for the previous strike days.

• We will be OPEN for Years 11, 12 and 13.  These year groups will have face to face lessons with the teachers who are in school.  They will undertake targeted revision in any lessons where their teachers are not in school.  All students should arrive as normal.  Year 11 will start their day at 8.35am in the hall.
• The two examinations due to take place on that day for Year 11 Photography will continue as planned and it is essential that all students attend to undertake these exams
• We will be CLOSED for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10.  Teachers who are not striking will set work on Satchel One for all of their lessons and be fully available to respond to any student questions during their scheduled lesson time.  In addition to work set by teachers not striking, for lessons where teachers are striking students can find work via the remote learning links on the school website.
• Year 9 were due to have their HPV2 vaccinations, these will not take place and we will let Year 9 parents know as soon as the date has been re-scheduled.

 

Please accept my sincerest apologies for the ongoing disruption to your child’s education and the inconvenience caused.

Yours sincerely

Claire Goodchild
Headteacher