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Staff and Students arrangements for the 1st February

Posted: 27/01/23

Staff and Students arrangements for the 1st February

STAFF AND STUDENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1st FEBRUARY:

We have been informed by the NEU that they will be taking industrial action in the form of a strike on Wednesday 1st February.

There is no requirement on unions to inform us of which members of staff will take action and we can not ask other teachers to “cover” classes who do not have their regular teacher.

This action is not against the school itself but is part of national industrial action organised by the NEU. The NEU is in a formal trade dispute with the Secretary of State for Education because she has failed to give the undertaking sought by the NEU to make available additional and sufficient funds to allow employers to pay a fully funded increase in teacher’s pay at a rate greater than inflation.

Neither the Governing Body nor the Headteacher is legally allowed to close the school ‘in sympathy’ with the strike and we will not do so. Our main concern is the safety of our students and ensuring that there are appropriate supervision and teaching arrangements for the day.  However, the majority of staff belong to the NEU; this means that we can not safely provide the usual curriculum for the whole school.

The school will therefore take the following action:

  • All staff not taking strike action will be expected to attend as normal; the school will be open. 
  • The school will be closed for Years 7 to 11.  This early notice will allow parents to make alternative arrangements for younger students.  The Bridge students will be able to attend as usual. 
  • Work will be set on SMHW by non striking staff, however, only for their lessons.  This work will be set by 9.30 on 1st February.
  • The school will be open for vulnerable children and young people and children of critical workers.  Students will be able to access the same online work as the students at home.  These students should attend as normal.  (If your child falls into one of the above categories and you would like them to attend school then click here to complete a form)  The deadline for completion of the form is Tuesday 31st at 9.00am.
  • School lunch will be served from 12.10 to 12.40.  Any student wishing to have school lunch on the day can enter the school site during these times via the Stoughton Avenue gate.  Please bring your school lanyard as ID, you do not need to wear school uniform. Vouchers will be sent home for anyone not claiming their FSM on the day.    
  • Post 16 students should attend as normal all their lessons which are running on the day.  We will post any cancelled lessons on the website ASAP on the day.  (Please click on “school arrangements for Industrial Action” under News and Events on the website) Post 16 study facilities will also be open to all post 16 students all day.  Post 16 PEP group will be able to attend school as usual. 

Realistically, if the majority of teachers take strike action in line with union expectations, then the normal curriculum will not be available for the majority of students.