Industrial Strike Action

27th June 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: Industrial Strike Action

Further to my letters and the industrial action of last term, I am now in a position to share with you a further update around industrial action and what this means for our academy. Following the latest pay offer from the Government, all four main teaching unions rejected the offer. Following these votes, members of the NEU across England have decided to strike. Strikes will take place across Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th July. These dates will impact on our academy.

As a result of the strikes on both days, we will not have enough members of staff to safely open the academy to all pupils. We will therefore only be open to pupils as follows:

Wednesday 5th July:

· Year 6 transition day in the academy has been cancelled by Sandwell Local Authority

· Year 10 in for mock exams (please see note below)

· 6th Form in the academy (they will follow their normal timetable – if the teacher is absent, they will do private study)

· Vulnerable children will be invited into the academy

· Years 7-9 working remotely (work to be set on SatchelOne)

Friday 7th July:

· 6th Form in the academy (same instruction as Wednesday)

· Vulnerable children will be invited in the academy

· Years 7-10 working remotely at home (work to be set on SatchelOne)

Year 10 mocks on Wednesday 5th July

Only students who study Spanish, Computer Science, Classics and PE need to attend school. All other students are to work from home.

There will be no tutor time. Students are to line up on the Yard at 08:45 am for a 09:00 start.

Students will be dismissed from the Academy at the end of their morning exam unless they have a second exam (5 students only).

Those with a second exam will get a 30-minute break and will then sit their second exam before being dismissed home.

If your child is entitled to free school meals, packed lunches will be available for them to collect between 12.00pm to 2.00pm. All students attending school will need to wear full school uniform.

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

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