1 July 2016
Our Ref: PWO/AW
Dear Parents, Carers and Students,
We have been informed by the National Union of Teachers that they will be taking industrial action in the form of a strike on Tuesday 5th July 2016.
The strike is not against the school itself but part of national industrial action.
There is no requirement on unions or individuals to inform us in advance of the strike day who will be participating in industrial action, nor is there an obligation on union members to obey a strike call. This makes it very difficult to know, with certainty, how our school will be affected.
In these circumstances my responsibility is to ensure the safety of students attending the school. This morning we have carried out a risk assessment and the following decisions have been taken:
The school will remain open for students in Years 7, 8 and 12.
The school will be closed to students in Years 9 and 10. This is because I believe lessons for these students will be significantly affected by the strike action.
Students in Year 12 should attend lessons as normal. If a teacher is on strike, then students should undertake independent learning relevant to the subject.
Students in Years 7 and 8 will have normal lessons as far as possible. There may be times during the day when lessons will be covered by a senior member of staff and work provided by them.
Year 7 will join Year 8 in having lunch in period 4a (12.30 to 13.20). If this causes a problem for a parent/carer whose child normally goes home for lunch, please contact me.
These decisions have been taken using the information I have at the moment. Should further information come to light which necessitates a different response then I shall inform you as soon as possible by text, email and via the school’s website. Only in extremely exceptional cases will students in years 7, 8 and 12 be sent home on the day of the strike. Whilst I do not foresee this happening I am asking parents/carers to nominate a place of safety, which may be your home, to which your child can go if we have to close.
Yours sincerely
P.S.Wood Headteacher
