As you will already know, industrial action by teachers belonging to the NEU is scheduled to take place on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May. The strike is happening because of an ongoing national dispute between the unions and the government about pay and working conditions. I am writing to you to give you as much notice as possible about our arrangements for this week and next week. Although not obliged to do so, teachers in our school have confirmed their intention to join the industrial action on Thursday 27th April.

Currently, all classes will be open except Oak Class, which will be closed.

On Tuesday 2nd May, the following classes will remain open:

Nursery- Pear AM and PM

Reception – Apple and Mulberry

Year 1 – Chestnut

Year 2 – Holly

Year 3 – Rowan, Maple and Willow

Year 4 – Poplar and Beech

Year 5 – Cedar, Cypress, and Sycamore

Year 6 – Yew, Larch, Ash and Redwood

The following classes will be closed: Cherry, Juniper, Silver Birch, Pine, Elm and Oak.

However, as teachers can decide to inform us of their intention to strike up to the morning of the proposed strike day, this could change at the last minute. We will keep you updated with any changes made over the upcoming days. I appreciate that you will have to make alternative arrangements for your child or children and that they will experience disruption to their education. I also understand that this situation may be frustrating, but the teachers are exercising their legal right to strike and as such, the law should be respected, as it protects all of our rights. Children who are not able to come to school due to industrial action can be guided by you to access remote learning activities. The Oak Academy is a government site that provides lessons and activities for EYFS, KS1 (5-7yrs), and KS2 (7-11yrs). Children can also read at home and record what they have read on Boom Reader; practise their times tables on TTRockstars; and complete some of the activities on their homework grid.

School lunches – if you have paid for a school lunch for this day and your child’s class is closed, we will contact Chartwells to ensure you get a credit for your Parent Pay account. If your child is entitled to a Universal Free School Meal (Lower Site) or a Free School Meal (Upper Site), you are invited into school at 12.15pm on both strike days, so that your child can still have their meal. If your child will be attending school on please call the school office by 3pm on Wednesday for this week and Friday for next week. If there are any further changes, I will inform you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

Mrs Emberson

Headteacher