NEU Industrial Action on Wednesday 1st February 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

NEU Industrial Action on Wednesday 1st February 2023.

 

Thank you for your patience while we have assessed our options in relation to the NEU Industrial Action on Wednesday 1st February 2023. In order to conduct a risk assessment relating to our provision on that day, we have reviewed: • The number of colleagues who have indicated that they intend to strike on 1st February • The amount of cover we have available on this day • The availability of external supply teachers The conclusion of these considerations, and subsequent actions, are as follows: It will not be possible for the school to safely be open to all pupils on 1st February 2023. The following classes/departments will be closed: • Sunshine • Red • White • Blue • Yellow • Copper • Purple • Turquoise • The SEN department Remote education on that day for pupils can be accessed via the Oak Academy – follow this link https://classroom.thenational.academy/ The subject content for your children can be found via the website in the curriculum section. For obvious reasons, as teachers are on strike, there are no live lessons. The classes closed may not be an exhaustive list, as teachers do not need to let me know prior to taking strike action. However, as safety of pupils is paramount, our staff have elected to let me know in advance. For classes that are closed - If your child is defined as vulnerable or if you are a key worker, and you wish your child to attend school, please contact the office via phone or email by 3pm Monday 30th January clarifying your key worker status along with your child’s name and class. We will then be in touch by end of day Monday to confirm you meet the keywork criteria. The canteen will be open as normal on 1st February for those who wish to purchase a lunch and for those entitled to Free School Meals. For those children who will be working remotely at home and who are entitled to a Free School Meal, there will be an option to collect a packed lunch from the office at the end of school on Tuesday 31st January. Should you wish for your son/daughter to do this, please let the school office know by 1pm Monday 30th January. We recognise that these necessary changed arrangements will be disruptive for both pupils and parents/carers. We know too that those colleagues who have chosen to take this action have considered their reasons and positions very carefully. It is of paramount importance to us that this matter does not disrupt the excellent relationships we have established between school, colleagues, pupils and parents/carers and we know that our collective commitment to mutual respect and tolerance will remain at the forefront of our community. The school remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our pupils and delivering high-quality teaching. We are working closely with our staff union representatives to keep up to date with the situation, and we will inform you as soon as possible if arrangements change further. We will review the position again in advance of the next proposed day of action on 2nd March 2023 and be in touch with you about arrangements nearer to that time.

Yours faithfully Paul McCarthy Head of School

 

A Key Worker is defined as being employed in one of the following areas:

• Health & Social Care

• Education & Childcare

• Key Public Services

• Local & National Government

• Food and other necessary goods

• Public Safety & National Security

• Transport

• Utilities, Communication & Financial Services

Vulnerable children are those with an EHCP, a social worker or particular circumstances which the school supports.