Following the first strike by members of the NEU, the next scheduled strike is due to take place on Wednesday 1st March 2023. There are also planned strikes for Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023.
The formal trade dispute is about ‘the Secretary of State for Education failing to provide sufficient funds to employers to pay a fully funded increase in teacher’s pay at a rate greater than inflation’.
I would also add that schools are facing real challenges over teacher recruitment and retention which of course has a long-term impact on the quality of education for our children and must be addressed by the government. Members of our teaching staff will make their own decision about strike action.
On Wednesday 1st March 2023 we will close the school to students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Students in Years 11, 12 and 13 will attend school as normal. Year 11 students will undertake an English PPE/mock during the morning of the 1st March so it is vital all students in Year 11 attend school.
Students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 who are entitled to Free School Meals will be provided with a packed lunch on Tuesday 28th February 2023 – they should not come into school to collect a lunch on Wednesday 1st March 2023.
As with the previous strike day we will invite into school students we know to be vulnerable.
I would ask parents / carers to plan accordingly for Wednesday 1st March 2023. We will provide more details on exact plans for the day when we return from the half term break.
I hope that the Government and Unions can come to an agreement and minimise the disruption to education moving forwards.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs C Aitcheson
Headteacher