Industrial Strike Action Update

27^th February 2023 

Dear Parents and Carers,  

Update: Industrial Strike Action 

As you will be aware, following the first strike day on 1^st February this year, members of the National Education Union (NEU) across England have decided to strike. Strikes by other unions e.g. The NAHT and the NASUWT,   will not be proceeding as not enough members voted. However, there is a chance that these ballots will be held again, which we will update you on if there is any change. 

Strikes are planned to take place across Wednesday 1^st March, Wednesday 15^th March and Thursday 16^th March.  These dates will impact on our academy.  

As a result of the strike, on 1^st March, we will not have enough members of staff to safely open the academy to all pupils. We will therefore just be open to pupils on the vulnerable register (you will be contacted directly) and those doing exams. All other pupils must remain at home during the days specified above and we ask that they use the time to study independently using work set on Satchel One, Sparx Maths, GCSE POD, Seneca Learning and OAK National Academy.  If your child is entitled to free school meals, packed lunches will be available for them to collect between 12.00pm to 2.00pm.  Vulnerable children attending school will need to wear full school uniform.   

• The strike is in the middle of the year 11 Mock Exam period – the exams planned for the 1^st March will still go ahead and therefore all year 11 students must attend. The English Language exam will start at 9am with all students expected to be on the yard lined up by 8.45am. The exam will finish by 10.45. Students will be given an extended lunch break and will then need to be lined up for their geography or history exam by 11.20am. These exams will finish by 1.00pm (geography) and 1.15pm (history) and students will go straight home after the exams. 
• Students in the ARRCC have a functional skills exam so need to be in the ARRCC by 9.00 ready to begin their exam at 9.30  
• There are also due to be rehearsals for the school musical “School of Rock” on the 1^st March. These will still go ahead, and students need to be at the theatre by 8.40am and will finish there by 3.10pm. 

We appreciate the inconvenience this will cause for some families, and we thank you for your continued support and understanding during this time. Please note that this is national industrial action impacting on schools across the country, this is not just local action. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or a member of our senior leadership team, and we would be more than happy to speak with you. 

Yours faithfully,  

Dr Lisa Mason 
Principal